Nakuru County, located in Kenya‘s Rift Valley region, is a significant economic and cultural hub. As of 2024, the county’s population is projected to be approximately 2,397,000, making it the third most populous county in Kenya after Nairobi and Kiambu.Nakuru County is known for its diverse population, comprising various ethnic communities, including the Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luhya, Gusii, and Luo.
HEALTHCARE INSIGHTS
Healthcare Infrastructure and Services:
The county operates a comprehensive healthcare system comprising 222 facilities across various levels:
• Level V: 1 Facility
• Level IV: 16 Facilities
• Level III: 32 Facilities
• Level II: 173 Facilities
These facilities collectively serve not only Nakuru’s residents but also individuals from neighbouring counties. In the fiscal year 2022/23, the Department of Health Services recorded 5.2 million outpatient visits and 120,000 admissions, highlighting the substantial demand for medical services in the region.
Source: kenyanews
Disease Burden and Health Initiatives:
Nakuru County faces a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases:
• Tuberculosis (TB): The county is among Kenya’s top five high-burden regions for TB, with a case notification rate of 181 per 100,000 population. In FY 2022/23, 3,812 drug-susceptible TB patients were reported, with a treatment success rate of 86%, slightly below the 92% target.
• HIV/AIDS: HIV prevalence decreased from 3.5% in 2021 to 3.3% in 2023. Despite this progress, certain sub-counties like Naivasha and Nakuru West reported higher numbers of new infections, necessitating targeted prevention strategies.
• Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): In FY 2023/24, the county diagnosed and managed 36,055 diabetes cases and 70,126 hypertension cases. Efforts to combat NCDs include training Community Health Promoters for early detection and referrals, ensuring better disease management.
Source: nakuru.go.ke
Technological Advancements in Healthcare:
Embracing digital transformation, Nakuru County has implemented several initiatives:
• Electronic Health Records (EHR): The adoption of EHR systems has streamlined patient care, improved record-keeping, and enhanced overall healthcare management.
• Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS): Transitioning to eCHIS has empowered over 2,000 Community Health Promoters with digital tools for household registration, patient screening, treatment, and referrals, thereby improving primary healthcare delivery.
Source:africasolutionsmediahub.org
Challenges and Future Strategies:
Despite notable progress, the county faces challenges such as insufficient staffing, drug procurement issues, and delayed fund disbursements, impacting service delivery. To address these, strategic priorities for the upcoming Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period include:
• Human Resource Development: Recruiting, training, and retaining skilled healthcare workers.
• Infrastructure Expansion: Operationalizing new health facilities and renovating existing ones to enhance service accessibility.
• Strengthening Management Systems: Implementing integrated Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems and improving supply chain management for consistent access to medical supplies.
Source: nakuru.go.ke
Related Team Members
