All the 48 Kenyan doctors who were sent to Cuba for post graduate studies in family medicine are back in the Country to help in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press statement, the Chairperson of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, said that the doctors will finalize their studies in the local health facilities across the counties for the next 9 months starting this week.
“We are happy to report that the 48 Kenyan doctors that were sent to Cuba for post graduate studies in family medicine are back in the Country and will finalize their studies in our local health facilities across the Counties for the next 9 months starting this week. As the Council, we thank the Ministry of Health for supporting specialized training of the doctors which will go a long way in strengthening our healthcare systems,” he said.
Following a bilateral agreement between Kenya and Cuba in 2018, the Kenyan medics were sent to the Caribbean country for post graduate studies.
On Gender Based Violence, Nyong’o raised concerns on the increase of violence which has become a major concern for women and girls in several Counties.
According to him, the restrictions imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic continue to elevate the risk of gender-based violence as victims are unable to access timely assistance from service providers.
“As a response measure to protect women and girls against violence during this crisis, West Pokot, Makueni, Migori, Vihiga, Bungoma and Meru Counties, in partnership with the National Government have established rescue centres to offer safe spaces for victims of GBV,” he said.
Further, he said that Counties in collaboration with the National Government have established County GBV Working Groups comprising of the police, healthcare workers, social workers and other key partners to support timely response to GBV.
He added that Counties have continued to offer psychosocial support to survivors and intensified sensitization and awareness creation on GBV.
Meanwhile, Nyong’o, who was issuing an update on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic across the counties, he addressed the shortage of Anti-retroviral drugs in counties.
“As you are aware, there has been a national concern with regard to low stocks of Anti-retroviral drugs which has majorly affected HIV/AIDs high burden Counties,” he said.
To mitigate the low stocks Counties, Nyong’o said that they have resorted to dispensing one month supplies to patients down from three month’s supply.
He urged the Ministry of Health to urgently find an amicable solution to the prevailing situation as further delay will compromise the viral suppression of those individuals relying on ARVs and increase HIV related deaths.