- Clinical officers and nurses are undergoing specialised training to improve mental healthcare services across Nakuru County.
- The programme aims to strengthen diagnosis, treatment and referral of mental health conditions at primary healthcare facilities.
- The initiative is supported through a partnership involving the county government, Ministry of Health, Amref Health Africa, MEDS and Johnson & Johnson.
A multi-agency partnership is helping strengthen mental healthcare services in Nakuru County through specialised training for frontline healthcare providers aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment and referral of mental health conditions.
The second cohort of the programme has brought together clinical officers and nurses from across the county for practical training on identifying common mental health conditions, conducting assessments, providing appropriate interventions and integrating mental healthcare into routine primary healthcare services.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Roselyn Mungai said the initiative reflects the county government’s commitment to making quality mental healthcare accessible to all residents.
“Strengthening the capacity of frontline healthcare providers integrates quality mental healthcare into primary healthcare services, ensuring that residents can access timely, compassionate and people-centred care closer to their communities,” she said.
She noted that the county is investing in healthcare workers to improve service delivery across all levels of care.
“The goal is to build a health system where every healthcare worker is confident and well-equipped to recognise, assess, manage and appropriately refer mental health conditions,” Mungai added.
Multi-agency collaboration
The programme is being implemented by the County Government of Nakuru in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Amref Health Africa and the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) under the Health Systems Strengthening Programme supported by Johnson & Johnson.
Health experts say strengthening the skills of frontline healthcare workers is critical to addressing the growing burden of mental illness, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to specialist mental health professionals remains limited.
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The initiative supports Nakuru County’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and complements national efforts under the Kenya Mental Health Action Plan to integrate mental health into primary healthcare, strengthen community-based services and improve access to quality mental healthcare for all Kenyans.
By Kimutai Langat
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