Infection Prevention Campaign Boosts Nakuru’s Healthcare Profile

By Staff Writer

Nakuru County’s Health Services Department has been commended for placing Infection Prevention and Control at the centre of its public health exhibition during the official opening of the 2026 National ASK Show in Nakuru.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who visited the county health stand, recognised the department’s emphasis on IPC as a critical safeguard for patients, healthcare workers and communities.

The commendation highlighted Nakuru’s efforts to use public exhibitions not only to showcase services, but also to promote safer healthcare practices and strengthen community awareness on disease prevention.

During the visit, health officials briefed the Cabinet Secretary on IPC practices that help reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections, including hand hygiene, safe handling of medical equipment, environmental cleanliness, waste management and protection of healthcare workers.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Roselyn Mungai said the recognition affirmed Nakuru’s commitment to improving patient safety across health facilities.

“Infection Prevention and Control is not a support function, it is a frontline pillar of quality healthcare because it protects patients, health workers and the wider community from preventable infections,” Mungai said.

IPC is a practical, evidence-based approach aimed at preventing patients and health workers from being harmed by avoidable infections during healthcare delivery. The World Health Organization says healthcare-associated infections remain among the most frequent adverse events in health services, with about one in 10 patients affected on average.

The WHO also notes that strong IPC measures, supported by water, sanitation and hygiene services, can prevent a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections and reduce treatment costs, illness and avoidable deaths.

At the Nakuru stand, the Cabinet Secretary also took interest in Full Body Composition Analysis technology demonstrated by healthcare professionals. The equipment assesses body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, hydration levels and other health indicators.

County health officials said the technology supports early detection of health risks linked to non-communicable diseases, including obesity-related complications, diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. They said such screening encourages preventive care by helping residents understand their health status before complications develop.

Mungai said the county was investing in health promotion and preventive services as part of a broader shift from treating disease to helping residents detect risks early.

“Our goal is to make prevention a routine part of healthcare, whether through infection control, screening, health education or early detection of lifestyle-related conditions,” she said.

The visit underscored the growing role of agricultural shows and public exhibitions as platforms for public health education, technology demonstration and community engagement.

Nakuru County said it would continue using such forums to promote preventive healthcare, improve public awareness and advance people-centred health services across the county.