West Pokot County government has acquired six vehicles which include two new ambulances and water emergency vehicles in a bid to improve provision of health services across the County. The County has also bought one bus for Sarmach Primary school along the West Pokot and Turkana border to serve pupils from both communities. This will help to help eradicate banditry and cattle rustling activities in the region which has a challenge of insecurity.
The two ambulances will be stationed at Turkwel and Konyao health facilities where Malaria is prone. Flagging off the vehicles Governor John Lonyangapuo said his government has prioritized the provision of quality health services. The County boss also flagged the two double cabin vehicles that will be used by the water department and a new bus for Sarmach Primary School.
He said the acquisition of ambulances and vehicles for the water department were in line with his pledge to ensure better services and mobility of staff and patients to health facilities. “Sarmach Primary school is along the border of West Pokot and Turkana Counties. The bus will be efficient whenever there will be insecurity challenges, and will be carrying pupils from both communities,” he said.
Lonyangapuo said that children from Ombolion, Loyapat, Kainuk, Kerip, Lorogon and Perkei will benefit. County Health CEC Geoffrey Lipale said the two utility vehicles will be useful during theimmunization exercise citing that more than 20,000 children in West Pokot County have not been immunized and health officers will have to do door to door immunization. “The vehicles will be used to transport health officers. We are also have a challenge in treating hepatitis B, we hope our officers will now reach patients at the grass root level and sensitize them,” he said.
He noted that the two ambulances and the two utility vehicles came at a cost of Kshs 40 million, adding that the Ministry needs more than 30 vehicles for service delivery. “The health ministry has more than 800 health workers and they need to move to different places to render health services,” he said.