Trans Nzoia First Lady Calls for Improved Care for Patients with Life-Threatening Illnesses

Trans Nzoia county first lady Mrs. Lilian Natembeya, has called for increased public awareness and better care for residents with life-threatening illnesses.

Mrs. Natembeya made the remarks during the official opening of a training program for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) on palliative care.

She highlighted the neglect faced by many patients, with some families abandoning them or resorting to alternative medicine due to myths and misinformation.

“Sometimes we visit patients during home care visits, but they’re not there,” Natembeya said. “They’ve been taken elsewhere for treatment.”

The First Lady emphasized the need for collaboration between the county government and other stakeholders to address the rising number of patients with chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

“Through the Hospice Care Kenya (HCK) program, we’re training 100 CHPs across the county to equip them with the knowledge to care for these patients, “Mrs. Natembeya explained. “They come from the grassroots level, where these patients reside, so they can provide crucial support.”

She assured the CHPs that plans are underway to ensure they receive stipends in recognition of their contribution to improving healthcare access in Trans Nzoia.

“Beyond palliative care, I’m also supporting school feeding programs in collaboration with KAPO Africa,” she added.

“Currently, two schools in Saboti and Kissing Primary School in Kwanza sub-county benefit from this initiative.”

Esther Jerenga, the Trans Nzoia County palliative care coordinator, echoed the importance of palliative care in managing pain and supporting patients’ families.

“We applaud the First Lady for championing home-based palliative care and becoming a program advocate,” Jerenga said. “Training CHPs is crucial because they are the bridge between the community and healthcare facilities. They can identify patients and connect them with the medical care they need.”

The training covers various aspects of palliative care, including patients’ rights, communication skills, legal aspects, death and grief management, and spiritual considerations.

Jerenga highlighted the training’s success in equipping over 100 CHPs with the necessary knowledge. She called for collaboration with other partners to expand the program’s reach due to the growing number of people living with chronic illnesses.