The Kitui Ministry of Health and Sanitation convened a meeting at a Kitui hotel Tuesday, 16th April, 2024 to unveil the outcomes of the Tools for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (TIMCI) project.
The TIMCI project has been implemented with support from PATH and the national Ministry of Health.
The project aims to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of primary health care workers in detecting severe diseases by providing them with pulse oximetry (POX) and electronic Clinical Decision Support Algorithms (CDSA).
The meeting served as a platform to discuss and share insights garnered from an extensive research conducted in the county, focusing on enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of healthcare workers in detecting severe childhood diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea.
Operational in four countries including India, Kenya, Senegal and Tanzania, the TIMCI project in Kenya spans across three counties – Kitui, Kakamega, and Uasin Gishu. In Kitui, the program targeted 19 health facilities selected across three Sub-Counties.
Clayton Opiyo from PATH said the project thoroughly researched the implementation of POX and CDSA, gathering both qualitative and quantitative data. This comprehensive dataset underwent rigorous analysis, resulting in a detailed report summarizing the project’s findings.
“The dissemination of TIMCI’s findings marks a great milestone in our efforts to improve childhood healthcare in the country. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, we aim to empower health care workers with the tools and resources necessary to deliver high quality care to children in need,” Mr. Opiyo noted.
Francis Musyoka, Director of Health Administrative Services, reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to work closely with various partners, among them PATH, in matters relating to healthcare services.
“The county government of Kitui is dedicated to collaborating with partners like PATH to enhance healthcare delivery in our county. We acknowledge the importance of initiatives like TIMCI in improving the health outcomes of our children and we pledge our continued support to such endeavors,” he emphasized.
The TIMCI project aims to catalyze sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery, eventually enhancing health outcomes for children in Kitui County and beyond.
PATH later donated eight pulse oximeter devices to the Ministry to supplement 23 others that were previously used during the research period and 21 donated during the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing the total number of pulse oximeter devices to 52.
The meeting brought together representatives of the national Ministry of Health, Red Cross, Welt Hunger Hilfe.
Also in attendance were PATH Country Project Lead Andolo Miheso, Unit Head of Medical Services Dr. Ndetei Mutisya and members of the County Health Management Team (CHMT) and Sub-County Health Management Team (SCHMT).