CS Kagwe, KNUT deliberate on vaccination and school health programs

By Mourice Seretta

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe today met with officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) who paid him a courtesy call at his Afya House office.

During their meeting the CS and the KNUT officials deliberated on the school health program including nutrition and hygiene as captured in the Kenya School Health Policy that was established in 2018.

The KNUT officials who were led by the National Chairman Mr Patrick Karinga included the Secretary General Mr Collins Oyuu, National Treasurer James Ndiku, Deputy Secretary General Mr. Hesbon Otieno, and 2nd National Women Representative Ms Mercy Ndungu.

The CS encouraged the union officials to assist the ministry especially on the school feeding program to enable reduce absenteeism in schools as well as increase better learning among pupils.

The CS noted the need to ensure there is a high degree of sanitation and hand washing in schools particularly during this period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also pointed out the news to place more emphasis on the preventive rather than curative measures on matters health as this will go a long way in reducing hospital visits.

He appreciates the role of KNUT officials across the country in the ongoing covid-19 vaccination process, and appealed to the union officials to assist the Ministry in encouraging more teachers to come out and get vaccinated against the disease.

“By more teachers turning out for vaccination they could also dispel the mis-information and propaganda about the vaccines that is being peddled by those opposed to vaccination,” said the CS.

The union officials thanked the CS for having prioritized teachers for vaccination against the Covid-19 disease.

They also pledged to use their countrywide network that includes 110 branches as well their representatives in schools to assist the ministry in the vaccination campaign.

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