FEATURED STORY

Beyond Zero receives boost in bid to improve healthcare in Kisumu

American medical equipment manufacturer and distributor GE Healthcare and Beyond Zero Initiative have teamed up to improve access to quality and affordable primary healthcare services in Kisumu County.

GE Healthcare will provide antenatal screening for expectant women, fetal monitoring, ECG screening for early detection of cardiovascular anomalies, as well as vital signs monitoring.

Since 2014, Beyond Zero has been working to promote access to quality maternal and neonatal healthcare services across the country.

The initiative has rolled out mobile clinics in 47 counties that provide integrated services such as HIV testing, treatment and care, immunization and basic treatment for common ailments.

In 2018, Beyond Zero launched its second strategic framework which is anchored in the principle of leaving no one behind and adopts a life-cycle approach targeting pregnant women and newborns, infants and children, adolescents and young people, men and older persons.

According to Beyond Zero, the second strategic framework will catalyze action for equitable provision of health, build partnerships and synergies to mobilize Kenyans, leverage First Lady Margaret Kenyatta’s convening power for multi-disciplinary mobilisation for results and enhance leadership, commitment and accountability.

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Speaking at the Beyond Zero Medical Safari in Kisumu, the First Lady said that achievement of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) is possible with the right public-private partnerships.

“Strengthening primary healthcare is a critical component towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Kenya,” said First Lady Margaret Kenyatta.

Andrew Waititu, General Manager, GE Healthcare, East Africa said GE is proud to support better health outcomes for all in Kenya.

“GE Healthcare is keen to collaborate with all counties to support the goal of ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare services for Kenyans. Focusing on innovative delivery models, appropriate technologies, impactful partnerships as well as building skills for healthcare professionals.GE Healthcare is driven to deliver sustainable primary healthcare solutions in the country,” Waititu said.

Adequate and appropriate care delivered by well-trained personnel is imperative for any health system to deliver on national and global healthcare commitments such as Universal Health Coverage.

In September, nurses and clinical officers in Kisumu County received 70 hours training on the use of GE Healthcare’s portable handheld ultrasound device designed to help primary healthcare workers estimate gestational age, better plan and manage pregnancies as well as conduct examinations that may result in the early detection of potentially life-threatening pregnancy complications.

According to GE Healthcare, programs such as this will help sustain the efforts delivered during the beyond Zero Safari.

Over the past three years, GE has already implemented and is continuing to implement 17 similar primary healthcare (PHC) programs that link care from “community to the hospital” in seven countries.

GE implements its PHC programs via a collaborative framework of strategic partners and stakeholders that include governments, funding agencies, professional associations, local NGOs, academic institutions, among others.

These programs in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Tanzania have delivered measurable impact in terms of improved maternal and newborn outcomes.

Over 100,000 expectant women and newborns have directly benefitted through training whilw 1,100 primary healthcare workers, including community health workers, midwives, nurses, and clinical officers have horned their skills from engaging in the proogramme.