Chiefs urged to partner with health workers

Internal Security Principal Secretary, Dr. Raymond Omollo has called for collaboration between National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) and health sector actors in addressing syndemic, neglected and disease outbreaks. [Okumu Modachi, Standard]

National Government Administration Officers (Ngaos) and health sector actors have been urged to collaborate in addressing disease outbreaks.

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said access to public health services is part of the Ngaos' mandates.

He encouraged them to promote President William Ruto's agenda on healthcare as the representatives of the president at grassroots level.

"The president has been on the front line in ensuring the public have a healthy life. And diseases like kala-azar is one such that we should deal with at the primary level," Omollo said.

Omollo was speaking on Saturday morning during the Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) 20th Anniversary Charity Run and stakeholders' event at Kacheliba Sub-county in West Pokot County.

He said the move is in line with the national government agenda of exploring a preventive approach to community and social health challenges.

The initiative was launched by president William Ruto during Madaraka Day celebrations in October. During the ceremony, Ruto flagged off community health workers to boost the health sector.

And speaking in Kacheliba, PS Omollo said that ensuring every individual has access to the highest attainable standard of health and well-being requires a collective approach that relevant government agencies must realise.

On security concerns in the North Rift, Omollo encouraged Ngaos to civically engage members of the community in the north to embrace unity to avoid conflicts.

The PS was accompanied by West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, France Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet France and Dr Luis Pizarro, DNDi Executive Director.

Also present was Tegla Loroupe, Kenyan race champion who is also the DNDi Ambassador.

Kachapin called on his county leaders to unite with their neighbouring counterparts for posterity.

"I implore the local leaders here to collaborate with their counterparts from neighbouring counties to realise security of their communities for stability of livelihood, business and education matters," said Kachapin.