Siaya County in Kenya has launched mass testing targeting medical workers. This is only to ensure health to all people regardless of what position they hold in the society.
Several men have also undergone the testing at the Namanga Border. These tests are held free of charge as Siaya County is covering all the costs involved in the testing of the citizens. This program was held after realising that more people are testing positive and the number doesn’t seem to be reducing.
The nation established this program to show care to the citizens. The testing kicked off recently and started by targeting all health workers. A daily figure targeted is expected to be met as mobilisation is enhanced.
The Health Executive Dorothy Owino has confirmed that the nation had 2 000 nurses that needed to be tested first, in what has become the first targeted mass testing in Nyanza region.
“We target health workers first. When this is done, we will move to the next group as guided by the national team,” Ms Owino said.
The testing is said to have started at the Siaya County Refferal Hospital targeting Alego-Usonga Sub-County. They started by practising what they referred to as the Snowball Mode to help them do the work quite efficiently, effectively and fast.
“We will proceed to other sub-counties in a snowball mode,” Ms Owino said.
A number of 89 nurses were tested in only a day. However, the county Covid-19 rapid response team intends to test about 200 people per day. Ms Owino said there was positive response in the work they were carrying out.
“Progression will be guided by the national team as they bring more testing swabs,” the county health official said.
