More than 18,000 children under five have been screened for key health and nutrition indicators in three sub-counties in Turkana County.
The programme, implemented in Turkana Central, Loima and Lokiriama sub-counties, was carried out through an emergency response by the Turkana County Government in partnership with Save the Children International (SCI).
The six-month Eastern and Southern Africa Humanitarian Fund (ESAHF) project strengthened integrated health and nutrition outreach services, contributing to improved service delivery and increased Vitamin A supplementation and deworming.
The progress was reviewed during a reflection meeting bringing together Sub-County Health Management Teams from the three sub-counties ahead of the project's scheduled closure on October 9, 2026.
### Integrated outreaches improve health services
Loima Medical Officer of Health Moses Elim said the intervention had helped address challenges in local health and nutrition indicators by expanding integrated outreach services.
“Before the project, Loima had experienced a period of struggling in terms of indicators. The support in terms of integrated health and nutrition outreaches has scaled up the indicators,” said Elim.
He attributed some of the improvements to regular data review meetings, which enabled health facilities to assess their performance, monitor progress and identify areas requiring additional support.
The project, which began in April 2026, was implemented across Turkana's 10 sub-counties through 184 outreach sites. Of these, 53 were located in Turkana Central, Loima and Lokiriama.
The outreach model brought together health and nutrition services to improve access for communities while strengthening the identification and follow-up of children requiring care.
Partnership helps address service delivery challenges
Save the Children International Health and Nutrition Coordinator Akutan Lobolia said the 184 outreach sites represented the highest number implemented in the county since the 2016/17 response.
Lobolia highlighted the partnership between the county government and SCI as critical to addressing operational challenges encountered during implementation, including shortages of essential commodities.
The provision of Corn-Soya Blend (CSB++) and other essential commodities also supported the delivery of services under the emergency nutrition response.
With the project completed, health officials are expected to use the lessons learned to inform subsequent programming, with similar review and reflection sessions planned for Turkana South, Turkana North and Turkana West.
Community health services key to sustaining gains
Elim called on health teams to strengthen community health services as a frontline mechanism for identifying and managing malnutrition before cases worsen.
He urged community health workers and other health personnel to prioritise early screening, timely referral and follow-up of children at household and community levels.
The review comes as the county and its partners consider how to sustain the gains made through the emergency intervention and strengthen community-based health and nutrition services beyond the project's closure.
Reader Discussion (0)
Sign in to comment