Turkana: The Chief Officer for Medical Services in Turkana County, Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, has engaged in discussions with the Full Gospel Churches of Kenya (FGCK)-Turkana and Brighthope International, aiming to foster collaboration to improve health outcomes in Natoot Farm.
According to Kenya News Agency, the meeting, led by Bishop Francis Namuya and Victor Juma, Community Project Coordinator at Brighthope International, focused on enhancing healthcare access for the growing population at Natoot Farm. FGCK, alongside Brighthope International, has been actively involved in integrated interventions in health and livelihoods in the area.
Juma highlighted the necessity for strengthened collaboration to support the expanding community. “We have come here because, as a church working at Natoot Farm, we have seen a growing population in need of medical service provision. FGCK focuses on improving livelihoods and food security, advocating for formal education, and improving health outcomes for residents,” he stated.
He further mentioned that the parties are conducting monthly mobile clinic outreaches at Lolupe Health Facility to cater to the community’s needs. The partners also discussed the establishment of a Level 3 health facility at Natoot, for which the community has already allocated land, seeking county government support to bring the project to fruition.
Dr. Lokoel acknowledged the ongoing challenges in accessing healthcare services across Turkana, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas. He noted the long distances residents travel to receive medical care, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with faith-based organizations and other stakeholders.
The Chief Officer reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to collaborating with partners to enhance service delivery. He assured that once established, the proposed facility would receive support through staffing and medical supplies to ensure it meets the required standards.
Dr. Lokoel stressed the critical role of strengthening collaboration with faith-based organizations to bridge healthcare access gaps across the county.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. Kidalio Ekiru, Director of Medical Services, Dr. David Moru, and Paul Kare, Director and Deputy Director for Health Products and Technologies.
