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Kenya

Bridging the Healthcare Gap: Nawiri's Impact in Revitalizing Moite and Marsabit’s Remote Communities

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Nestled in Northern Kenya’s Marsabit County, Moite is a resilient yet underserved location situated approximately 453 kilometers from Marsabit town and 110 kilometers from the remote Loiyangalani Centre. Defined by its arid and semi-arid climate, Moite spans vast, dry plains, rugged hills, and sparse vegetation, mirroring both the beauty and the challenges faced by its 8,664 residents across 1,759 households and 25 villages. Life here is a daily struggle against the elements and harsh realities. Water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential services especially healthcare and education cast a long shadow over Moite’s potential. In the most isolated areas, these gaps are profound, intensifying vulnerabilities and exposing the community to a spectrum of hardships. Families suffer from preventable illnesses like diarrhea, caused by a lack of clean drinking water, while malnutrition threatens the health and future of children under five. Yet, amid these challenges lies a community ready for transformative support that could break the cycle of adversity and unlock a healthier, brighter future for Moite’s youngest and most vulnerable.

It is unimaginable that, despite the construction of Moite Dispensary in 2014, it has stood silent for a decade, forcing the community to seek critical health services across Lake Turkana in neighboring Turkana County. With no operational healthcare facility in Moite, families have no choice but to embark on perilous journeys, crossing the lake in makeshift boats at a staggering cost of Ksh1, 500 per person one-way. Others trek 110 kilometers to Elmolo Bay Dispensary or Loiyangalani Health Centre on foot or by motorbike, enduring extreme financial strain and substantial physical risks. The journey by boat to reach Kalokol or Lodwar health facilities in Turkana County is a test of both endurance and courage, fraught with dangers of high lake tides and crocodile encounters, particularly around Central Island, where crocodiles are prevalent.

Without network connectivity, calling for emergency assistance is impossible, leaving those in need especially pregnant women in labor or those facing medical crises without support. The community's isolation is profound; there are no vehicles available to transport the sick, relying solely on village members to search for motorbikes to help transport them to distant facilities. Jeremiah Lesirau, a Community Health Assistant based at Elmolo Bay Dispensary and supporting Moite Dispensary, recounts one unforgettable incident: during an outreach at Moite Centre, a pregnant woman with a complicated case required immediate medical attention. The only option was to hire a boat at an exorbitant cost of Ksh20,000 to reach Eliye Springs on the far side of the lake before boarding a matatu to a hospital in Lodwar. "As health workers, we were heartbroken to see the pain in her eyes, realizing she faced an impossible choice between saving her unborn child and the crippling cost of transport," Jeremiah recalls.

Amidst soaring malnutrition rates, with a staggering proxy GAM prevalence of 51.1%, USAID-funded Nawiri answered Moite’s urgent call for help, initiating integrated medical outreaches as part of a critical IMAM surge response. But the Nawiri consortium knew that temporary relief would not suffice in a place where poverty and geographical isolation made health access a distant dream. With fishing as the primary livelihood and limited financial resources, households were often unable to seek timely healthcare, relying instead on bi-monthly outreaches that left vulnerable families waiting weeks for medical attention. Recognizing this reality, Nawiri, in partnership with the County Government, set out to transform the abandoned and dilapidated Moite Dispensary into a functional health hub a lifeline within reach.

A comprehensive assessment of Moite Dispensary revealed the scale of neglect: a decayed structure infested with bats, crumbling roofs, and not a single basic supply for healthcare. But where many saw decay, Nawiri and its partners saw potential for change. In an exemplary act of partnership, the County Government committed to essential infrastructure improvements repairing the dispensary roof, installing a water tank, securing the facility with fencing, employing support staff, and ensuring a steady supply of both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical commodities. Meanwhile, Nawiri intervened by placing a dedicated nurse and nutritionist, essential in providing quality care, and procured vital medical equipment, from examination couches and hospital beds to diagnostic kits and pediatric stethoscopes.

This collective effort was bolstered by Moite’s resilient community, who cleared and cleaned the dispensary grounds, showing up with an unwavering commitment to see their dispensary come to life. Nawiri’s sensitization forums encouraged Moite’s residents to advocate for quality healthcare, cultivating a community ready to hold stakeholders accountable. Together, Nawiri, the County Government, and the people of Moite are turning the tides, transforming the dispensary from a neglected shell into a beacon of health and hope. This partnership stands as a powerful testament to what sustainable support can achieve a foundation that equips Moite’s residents with the tools to take ownership of their health, build resilience, and create a future where healthcare is not a distant luxury but a fundamental right.

On July 20th, 2024, Moite witnessed a transformative moment as H.E. Ali Mohamud, Governor of Marsabit County, officially opened Moite Dispensary, ushering in a new era of hope and health for this long-underserved community. The vibrant ceremony was attended by county executives, including Laisamis MP Joseph Lokuton, Health Executive Daniel Emojo, and dedicated staff from Nawiri and other development partners. Governor Mohamud expressed profound gratitude for the enduring partnership with Nawiri, pledging his unwavering support to Nawiri’s mission to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition across Marsabit County.

In the words of the community representative, the opening of Moite Dispensary is indeed a “blessing” to the people of Moite, as it restores dignity and renews hope, especially for women and children who were previously burdened with traveling great distances in search of healthcare. This local health hub is now a beacon of resilience and care, a place where the most vulnerable—especially children under five can receive timely treatment.

With 14 active Community Health Promoters (CHPs) trained by Nawiri, Moite Dispensary is not only a facility but also a center of outreach and empowerment. These CHPs, skilled in Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM), are equipped to manage common childhood illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea, and are trained to recognize malnutrition and newborn danger signs. They also bring knowledge on essential areas such as Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and Maternal and Reproductive Health, extending the reach of Moite Dispensary’s impact into each household. Together, Moite Dispensary and the committed CHPs stand as symbols of resilience, promising a brighter, healthier future for Moite and beyond a future where health and hope are accessible to every child, mother, and family.

Moite Dispensary is one of six health facilities that Nawiri has successfully revitalized, alongside Ndikir, Losidan, Boji, Tigo, and Malabot Dispensaries. Each of these facilities now stands as a cornerstone of accessible, quality healthcare, powered by Nawiri’s commitment to operationalize them in collaboration with the County MOH. Nawiri has not only placed skilled health workers in these facilities but has also invested in building their capacities on critical areas like Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) and Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN). These frontline staff are further empowered through continuous mentorship by the Sub-County Health Management Team (SCHMT) in vital practices like accurate data entry in MOH registers, immunization, and cold chain management, ensuring every patient encounter is met with the highest standard of care. This dedicated on-the-ground training and mentorship is not just about operational support it is about transforming the health system from within, equipping healthcare workers with essential skills and the confidence to provide lifesaving services. Through this robust partnership, Nawiri and the County MOH are strengthening the entire health system, creating a sustainable framework that promises enduring, impactful health outcomes across Marsabit. With each dispensary, Nawiri is bridging the gap between remote communities and quality care, ensuring that hope, health, and resilience are accessible to all.