Vihiga banks on strategic partnerships to combat non-communicable diseases

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo having his blood pressure checked by medics during a medical camp at Gisambai Primary School in Hamisi Sub-County on March 20, 2025. [Brian Kisanji, Standard]

Vihiga County has unveiled a comprehensive plan to reduce the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through enhanced medical facilities and strategic partnerships.

With NCDs accounting for 50 per cent of hospital admissions, 55 per cent of hospital deaths, and 39 per cent of total deaths in the county, plans to cut the prevalence have been put into high gear.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo announced that the county is leveraging a state-of-the-art NCD clinic at Hamisi Sub-County Hospital and collaborating with partners to host screening and treatment camps.

The county boss says his administration is taking decisive steps to curb these ailments, which include hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell disease, rheumatic heart disease, severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental health disorders.

Governor Ottichilo emphasized the importance of the newly established Hamisi NCD Clinic, which is dedicated to diagnosing and treating chronic diseases.

The facility that deals only with NCD cases plays a crucial role in reducing the financial burden on patients, particularly those from needy backgrounds in Vihiga and neighboring counties such as Kakamega, Kisumu, Nandi, and Siaya.

“The county government is committed to eliminating Non-Communicable Diseases, and the use of the state-of-the-art clinic in Hamisi Sub-County will provide quality healthcare services to residents," said Governor Ottichilo.

The government is seeking increased funding and awareness campaigns to address the growing burden of these diseases.

On strategic partnerships, the county, in collaboration with Safaricom M-Pesa Foundation and ZURI Healthcare, is set to conduct periodic medical screening camps.

The initial free medical camp was held at Gisambai Primary School in Hamisi Sub-County.
Governor Ottichilo said the camps allow many to access healthcare and have positively impacted the lives of many residents, particularly the elderly.

"With strategic partnerships, Vihiga County is positioning itself as a leader in the fight against non-communicable diseases, offering hope to thousands of residents battling chronic illnesses," Ottichilo said.

According to Gunilla Atieno, Safaricom’s Greater Western Regional Business Lead, a Continuous Care Program has been introduced to ensure long-term medical assistance, especially for NCD patients.

“We have a responsibility, and with the help of the county government, we will ensure patients who need further medical attention are linked to specialists,” she explained.

Additionally, the foundation has registered 20 vulnerable patients on the Social Health Authority (SHA) healthcare platform and fully covered their annual medical fees.

During the free medical camp, residents benefited from a range of essential healthcare services, including diabetes and high blood pressure screening.