Vihiga Governor Dr Wilber Ottichilo with community health workers, January 5, 2017. [Photo|Vihiga News]Vihiga Governor Dr Wilber Ottichilo on Friday held seperate meetings with community health workers from Emuhaya, Luanda and Vihiga sub counties and assured them that his government will invest more resources in disease prevention.Ottichilo met the volunteer community workers at Emuhaya CDF offices and Vihiga Friends church where he noted that disease prevention measures will help in cutting down on costs the government was using on disease treatment."We want to effectively prevent diseases such as malaria and typhoid among others. That is why I will invest more in community health workers to effectively provide such services," said Ottichilo.He added that community health workers were undertaking key health services at the grassroots level and promised that his administration will empower them.He added that he was aware that the volunteer health workers were facing challenges following the withdrawal of donors they were working with in villages.He said he would put the health volunteers on a monthly stipend as a motivation aimed at ensuring that they effectively provide disease preventive services.The governor added that he would provide them with medical kits and other health facilities they required while on duty.Ottichilo added that soon he will unveil a medical scheme for expectant mothers dubbed "Ottichilocare".He noted that he was in negotiations with donors among them UNICEF and USaid with a view of having them fund the scheme.He explained that under the programme mothers will be put of an 18 month free health care upon delivery.The governor was accompanied by his Deputy Dr Patrick Saisi among other officers.

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