The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched two hallmark health policy frameworks to help tackle the rising cases of malnutrition in West Pokot County.
The two policies, County Nutrition Action Plan 2019-2023 and County Community Health Services Act 2020 will provide a roadmap aimed at accelerating reduction in stunting by 2023 through creation of an enabling environment for its implementation.
The County is leading when it comes to the rate of malnutrition in Kenya at 45.9 % more than the national figure of 35% with one among two children in the County being stunted according to the 2014 demographic health report.
Speaking during the launch of policies, UNICEF Chief, Field Operations and Emergency Mr. Nicholas Wasunna said the move is a big milestone which will reduce health inequalities and advance the attainment of Universal Health Care (UHC) by making primary health care accessible.
“The project will ensure children access health services so that they are not affected by stunted growth or malnutrition. This is a legal framework to deliver services for children and ensure that children are productive and are in schools,” he said.
West Pokot Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo said that these policy frameworks will in addition strengthen the vital role played by Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) who have increasingly become instrumental in bridging the gap between community and health care systems.
“I’m glad to announce that UNICEF will offer capacity building to 400 CHVs besides their donation of work tools namely service log books for keeping data of children with stunted growth, household registers, referral booklets, identification jackets…,” said Lonyangapuo.
The County boss lauded the organization for their unwavering support not only in the sector of health but also Water, Education and Agriculture. “We will continue working closely with UNICEF with special attention to the documents unveiled today. As a County we are cognizant of the cases of malnutrition and stunted growth in children and are determined to eliminate it,” he said.
Lonyangapuo said that this has been demonstrated by active programmes which have been aligned to improve nutrition. “They include provision of Fortified Porridge Flour for ECDEs countywide, annual distribution of certified maize seeds to all households in West Pokot which covers an acre each and the fingerlings project at Turkwel Dam,” said the Governor.
He noted that stunted growth has been on the rise for a long time adding that the project will incorporate 2500 community health volunteers.