COURTESY CALL

Earlier today, we paid a courtesy call to the Governor of County Government of Vihiga H.E. Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo, at his office. The visit aimed to discuss the county’s progress on Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition #RMNCAH+N and #PHC indicators, with a special focus on the uptake of the #HPVVaccine. In attendance were the CECM for Health Hon. Nicholas Kitungulu, the Chief Officer Dr. Mary Susan for Health, the Director of Administration Mr. Opiyo Polycarp and the #CEBA team.

Vihiga, being an accelerated county under the CEBA project, has recorded remarkable improvements in these areas, with joint advocacy efforts contributing significantly to this positive shift.

H.E. Dr. Ottichilo, expressed his appreciation for the gains made through the CEBA project and acknowledged the important role that data-driven advocacy has played in guiding health interventions across the county. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving health outcomes, particularly through the eradication of non-communicable diseases, which he noted as key contributors to mortality. The Governor also applauded the county health team for their dedication, advocacy efforts, and collaborative spirit, which have been instrumental in advancing progress in RMNCAH+N and Primary Health Care.

In his remarks, Prof. Fred Were expressed appreciation to the Governor and his team for their ongoing support in implementing the CEBA project and reaffirmed the commitment to working collaboratively towards the elimination of cervical cancer. He emphasized the importance of transitioning to a single-dose HPV vaccine, noting that once adopted, it could potentially improve vaccine uptake among eligible girls.