Cancer and HIV prevalence among women and early marriages of girls is a challenge making Kenyan youths more susceptible to discrimination within their communities.
Speaking in Kitale Trans Nzoia County during her visit of handing over a beyond zero mobile clinic, the first lady Mrs. Margret Kenyatta said that some communities marry off their girl child before they come of age which in the long run make them vulnerable to discrimination.
The first lady added that cancer and HIV prevalence among women is a challenge stating that women and girls are important in a family set up.
She urged men and the entire community to be sensitized on the negative impact of poor health whereby she encouraged them to be going for testing for all diseases.
Trans Nzoia being a huge contributor to Kenya’s food security, Mrs. Kenyatta called on the county government to ensure that the county residents are healthy in order keep producing enough food for this country.
In addition, she urged Kenyans to recognize people who are physically challenged because they are also important in the society.
Concerning the mobile clinic, the first lady urged Trans Nzoia residents to make good use of the clinic because it is well stocked with equipment and medication.
The clinic will help supplement the work of hospitals and health centers within Trans Nzoia County and hence zero preventable of child and maternal demises.
The clinic will also help in the fight against new HIV infections that come through mother to child transmissions in remote areas where most pregnant women seek services of unskilled midwives to deliver.
Area Governor Patrick Khaemba said free maternity services and the beyond zero campaign have been of importance in the reduction of maternal deaths since most pregnant women have been seeking specialized delivery services.
“We however call upon the national government to ensure that enough funds are send to us to meet costs of the free maternity services. County governments are in need of the cash,” said Governor Khaemba.
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa lauded efforts by the first lady to eliminate deaths related with delivery among women and the reduction of HIV prevalence in the country saying the noble mission is timely to supplement government services.
“What the first lady is doing is commendable since her efforts are ensuring that every pregnant woman and children have the constitutional access to basic healthcare. This must be appreciated,” said MP Wamalwa.
Trans Nzoia woman representative Janet Nangabo said most pregnant women in the rural areas had in the past had great challenges in efforts to access quality healthcare services owing to long distances to nearby health facilities.
“The Mobile clinic will be of great benefit to pregnant women in the rural areas where poor road networks have been a major hindrance to their efforts to access quality healthcare services in nearby hospitals,” said Mrs. Nangabo.
