Samburu, Kenya: First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for more efforts among all stakeholders to contain the HIV and Aids scourge in Samburu County.
Mrs Kenyatta said it was unacceptable for a county of 254,997 people to register 461 new infections every year.
The First Lady spoke when she handed over the third fully kitted 'Beyond Zero' mobile clinic to Samburu County at Kenyatta stadium in Maralal town. The outreach service will augment the existing services in the HIV and Aids control and promotion of maternal, new born and child health care in the county.
"Statistics show that as at the end of 2013 there were a total of 6,883 people living with HIV in Samburu County of which 13 per cent were children. The report shows women bear the brunt of HIV and Aids scourge as the prevalence rates among them stood at 7.1 per cent compared to that of men which was 4.3 per cent," she said.
The First Lady said the unique geographical location of the county and its socio-economic and cultural dynamics has immensely contributed to the disease prevalence.
BEYOND ZERO
Kenyatta said that while Samburu County's rich cultural heritage proved to be an asset in promoting tourism in the country, several social-economic attributes that compromise their resilience need be addressed.
The First Lady urged the county leadership to take full advantage of the new fully kitted mobile clinic facility to scale up maternal and child health care.
"I am informed that the Samburu County Government has already developed a calendar of mobile clinic operationalisation based on need, equity and emergency situations among other considerations," she added.
The First Lady said she appreciated the preparations which will ensure the utility of the mobile clinic towards achieving its goals in the spirit of the Beyond Zero campaign.
She reaffirmed her commitment to giving mothers and children a chance through the Beyond Zero initiative to live and enjoy healthy lives.
"I am pleased to note that the "Beyond Zero" campaign is gaining momentum and the initiative's goal to provide fully-kitted mobile clinics to all 47 counties is on course," said the First Lady.
On food security, the First Lady commended Samburu County leadership and its people for adopting new economic activities that include crop production to address the perennial food shortages and dependency on donations.
She said there was potential for agriculture in Samburu with some 30,000 acres of land in Poros, Malaso and Lpartuk, among others, suitable for food production.
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The First Lady assured residents that the Government will continue to provide relief food to ensure that no Kenyan starves.
FOOD SHORTAGES
"I am happy that the Samburu County government is sensitising the local farmers to embrace mixed farming to fully exploit the potential offered in production of cereals," she added.
Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal assured the First Lady that his government will augment the Beyond Zero initiative by purchasing one mobile clinic per constituency.
"Depending on availability of funds, my government will also purchase mobile clinics for every ward in future," the Governor said.
Samburu County leaders, led by Woman Representative Maison Leshomo, expressed appreciation to the national government for providing free maternity services in public health outlets, which had enabled women from pastoral communities to give birth in a secure and dignified environment.
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