County purchases Sh15m dental machines

Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo officially opening Sabatia Sub County Dental clinic. Looking on is Deputy Governor Dr. Patrick Saisi and Health CECM Dr. Amos Kutwa. [Image: Standard]

Residents will no longer have to travel long distances to the referral hospital to seek dental services.

This is after the county procured dental machines at a cost of Sh15 million, which have been installed at Emusire, Emuhaya, and Sabatia sub-county hospitals.

During the launch of the dental services by Governor Wilbur Ottichilo, at least 400 people received free check-ups.

According to Dr Ottichilo, the county now has five health facilities offering specialised dental services.

“Vihiga County Referral Hospital has been serving more than 1,000 patients seeking dental services every month. With the services now available at the sub-county hospitals, we will have reduced congestion at the referral hospital by 80 per cent,” said the governor.

The governor urged the locals to go for regular dental checkups as oral health is important.

“For us to achieve universal healthcare, which is the brainchild of President Uhuru Kenyatta, health services must be brought closer to the people and as a county, we are committed to ensuring that provision of affordable healthcare comes to fruition,” said Ottichilo.

The county has also employed 300 health workers -cutting across all the 16 cadres that include nurses, clinical officers, doctors, radiographers, dentists, and physiotherapists.

“Provision of better health services to the locals has been a major challenge in the past but we are in the process of sorting out the issue. I have put much focus in the health sector and even increased capitation in the next financial year,” he said.

Meanwhile, County Executive Committee members have signed performance contracts as a commitment to meeting targets in their respective departments.

The governor oversaw the exercise last week where the officers committed to delivering on projects captured in their 2019-20 work plans.

Speaking at the event, Ottichilo said performance contracting would aid his government in delivering quality services.