Trans Nzoia County has taken a significant step towards enhancing healthcare services for its residents, particularly those with limb injuries and disabilities. The county has allocated Sh7 million to establish and equip a specialised orthopaedic unit at the Trans Nzoia County Referral Hospital in Kitale. This initiative aims to position the hospital as a regional centre for patients from Trans Nzoia and neighbouring counties in the North Rift.
The orthopaedic unit is part of a broader effort to address the significant need for prosthetic services across the region. Many amputees in the area struggle to access artificial limbs or travel long distances to receive specialised care. During a recent medical outreach organised by VisAbility, the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, and the county department of health, over 100 amputees received artificial limbs. The outreach had initially planned to serve 50 people but ended up assisting more than double that number.
Governor George Natembeya announced the allocation of Sh7 million for the orthopaedic unit, with Sh2 million dedicated to immediate equipment needs and Sh5 million for upgrading the facility. He expressed his desire for the hospital to become a leading orthopaedic centre, serving patients from Turkana, West Pokot, Bungoma, and neighbouring counties. Natembeya also emphasised the importance of training local health workers to ensure the centre's independence within a year.
The proposed orthopaedic unit will provide a range of services, including prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation, and training for health workers. The lightweight and affordable below-the-knee limbs used in the outreach programme utilise simple Swiss technology, enabling patients to regain mobility without incurring the costs of more sophisticated prosthetics. A team of five officers, working with volunteers and students, completed the fittings over two weeks.
The demand for prosthetic services in the region is substantial, with estimates suggesting that each county has between 1,200 and 2,000 amputees in need of assistance. The VisAbility representative and national chairman of the Association of Orthopaedic Prosthetics, Kenneth Kipyegon, noted that the Kitale model could be replicated elsewhere and that VisAbility would continue working with the county to strengthen its local capacity.
Beneficiaries of the outreach programme have expressed their gratitude for the artificial limbs, which are already changing their lives. Caro Nalianya of the Catholic Diocese of Kitale called on the county and national governments to make prosthetic support a long-term programme rather than relying on one-off outreaches. Some beneficiaries, including Julius Macharia, Everlyne Serebwa, and John Mbaye, have urged the governments to allocate funds to support amputees and review the cost of prosthetics.
The county administration is exploring ways to ensure the proposed orthopaedic unit remains financially sustainable. Governor Natembeya suggested using insurance cover to help sustain services at the unit, while County Secretary Truphosa Amere emphasised the importance of supporting people with disabilities as both a social responsibility and a moral duty. The county faces the task of turning the proposed unit into a functioning regional service, including equipping the facility, training staff, and ensuring patients can afford the prosthetic and rehabilitation services they need.
Key points
- Trans Nzoia County has allocated Sh7 million to establish a specialised orthopaedic unit at the county referral hospital.
- The unit aims to serve as a regional centre for patients with limb injuries and disabilities from Trans Nzoia and neighbouring counties.
- Over 100 amputees have received artificial limbs during a recent medical outreach programme organised by VisAbility, the Catholic Diocese of Kitale, and the county department of health.
