North Rift HeSMA Chapter Launched

The launch of the North Rift HeSMA Chapter on November 24, 2023, will remain a special day for the HeSMA family. The North Rift region of Kenya is located in the country’s west and is made up of eight counties: Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, and Turkana. Mt. Elgon, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Nasolot Game Reserve, Turkwel Gorge, and Lake Turkana are among the conservation areas and attractions in the region. The region is also noted for its thriving agriculture sector, which has earned it the moniker “breadbasket” of the country. The rich hills of the region produce world-renowned tea. It is also home to several prominent hospitals, including Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret Hospital, St. Luke’s Orthopedic and Trauma Hospital, and others. On this auspicious occasion, HeSMA was hosted at Eldoret Hospice.

HeSMA assists health systems managers in their professional and academic growth and development, guided by the slogan Professionalism in Health Management through Systems Approach. HeSMA continues to serve as the only professional voice of health systems managers today. Our members consist of all 33 cadres of administrative and clinical staff whose mandate or role is to manage, lead, and govern. HeSMA continues to evolve as the foremost association for health management capacity building and development, aided by its broad, infiltrative, and rising membership at both the individual and corporate levels. The HeSMA strategy is based on multisectoral and interdisciplinary collaborative partnerships. HeSMA will continue to transcend organizational and geographical barriers in order to adapt to the ever-changing, dynamic needs of health systems managers. The North Rift Chapter is a component of these initiatives, which will expand our work in health departments and programs in Uasin Gishu, Trans-Nzoia, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana counties, and special centers, i.e. Moi University, Moi Referral Hospitals, and AMPATH.

The event’s highlight was meeting a diverse group of managers from the region, comprising healthcare workers from various professional backgrounds, and examining strategies to influence health sector performance through better management and leadership techniques. The group also discussed their short-, medium-, and long-term strategies and plans.

The following chapter leaders were elected to office by the members from the region supervised by the HeSMA secretariat:

• Chairperson: Selah C. Plapan; Vice Chair: Nixon Rono
• Secretary: William Komen; Vice-Secretary: Drusilla Jesang
• Organizing Secretary: Fredrick Otieno
• Treasurer: Dr Edwin Rono
• Members: 7 County Liaison Officers (names will be populated at a later date)
• Special Centers: Prof Mabel Nangami, Dr Faith Yego & Drusilla Jesang

According to HeSMA Articles of Association, the Chair and the Secretary are consequently appointed as members of the National Executive Council mandated to represent the Chapter in the national and regional affairs of the organization. The immediate aims of the North Rift HeSMA chapter will be to build an office, attract new members, offer professional education programs, and push for better terms and working conditions for professionals in the health sector, including leadership and management. We encourage all stakeholders in their respective counties and special units to collaborate with the leadership, take advantage of the mature resources HeSMA has globally, and significantly connect their managers to the chapter for networking and professional growth.

HeSMA Governing Board and Secretariat wish the chapter and her leadership the very best.

Dr John Masasabi

HeSMA Board Chair