By Titus Oteba -Health Communication Officer
Bungoma County has embarked on a comprehensive mapping of all health partners operating within the region as part of efforts to enhance coordination, eliminate duplication of activities, and improve accountability in the delivery of healthcare services.
Speaking during a two-day Health Partners Summit held at Hunters Paradise Hotel, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, Chrispinus Barasa, said the initiative will establish a harmonized implementation and reporting framework for all stakeholders supporting the county’s health sector.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Partnership, Harmonization and Accountability for Improved Health Outcomes,” brought together development partners, health stakeholders, and county officials to review progress and strengthen collaboration in the sector.
Barasa noted that the forum provides a strategic platform for enhancing coordination, accountability, sustainability, and harmonization of partner-supported interventions across the county.
“The mapping exercise will help us align resources, reduce duplication of programmes, strengthen reporting systems, and enhance collective action towards improved health outcomes for the people of Bungoma,” he said.
He explained that the summit seeks to strengthen county-partner collaboration mechanisms, update the database of partner interventions and their geographical coverage, and ensure that all support aligns with county priorities and annual work plans.
The meeting also reviewed achievements, milestones, existing gaps, and lessons learned from ongoing programmes, with stakeholders exploring ways of improving efficiency and maximizing the impact of health interventions.
According to Barasa, Bungoma County currently hosts more than 25 partners implementing various health programmes. However, challenges such as fragmented reporting systems, duplication of activities, unequal distribution of interventions, and sustainability concerns continue to hinder effective support for county health priorities.
Among the organizations represented at the summit were Ushirika Wema, Living Goods, Wanahabari Centre, AMPATH, the International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH), MoMS, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the Kenya Red Cross, Tiko, CBM Global, REDO Kenya, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), the Bungoma CSO Forum, and Health Right Kenya, among others.
Also present were Chief Officer for Health David Maling’a, Deputy Health Director Dr. Emmah Nyaboke, CHMT and other key health sector stakeholders.
Participants expressed optimism that stronger coordination and harmonized planning among partners would enhance healthcare delivery and accelerate the achievement of improved health outcomes across Bungoma County
