Nakuru County finally contains cerebral palsy

(Left to Right) Governors’ wives Sarah Tunai (Narok), Lucia Mbugua (Nakuru) and Esther Ruto (Bomet)during a three day workshop at Sawela Lodge in Naivasha. (Photo: Antony Gitonga/Standard)

Cases of cerebral palsy have been contained in Nakuru County due to advocacy by various stakeholders.

New mothers are openly coming out to have their babies treated in a move that has boosted the fight against the disease.

This emerged when the 47 wives of governors visited the Naivasha Disability Resource Centre (DRIC) and donated foodstuffs and other goods to children suffering from cerebral palsy.

"Due to advocacy we have seen the number of women with babies suffering from cerebral palsy seek early treatment and this is a big plus," Nakuru Health Executive Samuel Mwaura said.

Dr Mwaura said they had prioritised provision of drugs to all hospitals in the area during the 2015-2016 financial year.

He said hospitals in all 11 sub-counties will be equipped with machines that will address the various needs of the residents.

"We will make sure that we reduce risks and the time taken by patients who walk for long distances to get treatment by taking the services to them," he said.

Wives of governors announced plans of working closely with the health sector in a bid to address the various challenges it faces.

They said they would roll out several programmes that would complement what the Government is doing at the grassroots level.

The forum's chairlady Esther Ruto said they had decided to work closely with the health sector as part of their campaign for effective health services to Kenyans.

"We are currently supporting the Beyond Zero campaign in our respective counties and I think we need to do more than that in the health sector," she said.

Esther, who is Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto's wife, said they were committed to working together to ensure Kenyans got the required services at all levels.