The Cabinet Secretary for Health Nakhumicha S Wafula has revealed that her Ministry will prioritise investment in the Community Health Promoters in a bid to empower and equip them deliver in their health promotion work at the community level across all the 47 Counties in Kenya.
Speaking on Monday at Uhuru Park during the flag-off of kits of Community Health Promoters in an exercise presided over by President William Ruto, Nakhumicha noted that the event is in line with actualization of a cherished vision; a vision that resonates with the ideals of universal health coverage and community well-being.
“The Ministry of Health will continue to invest in the training of the Community Health Promoters, equipping them with the tools they need, and ensuring they have the support they deserve to deliver this healthier nation that we all envision. We appreciate the role played by different implementing and development partners who have been in the forefront of strengthening our community health services towards a stronger primary healthcare system” she said.
The President said his Cabinet approved the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, as among the steps towards the realisation of this dream, which now awaits endorsement by parliament to guarantee Kenyans the eagerly-awaited free health coverage.
The Head of State was full of praise for Nakhumicha for her relentless efforts and total sacrifice together with her team at the Ministry and other partners in working towards implementation of the program which remained a piped dream during the last 17 years.
“I want to thank my Health CS for her devotion in making this happen.I know it has been a marathon program because of the pressure from my end which has been courtesy of overwhelming pressure from my employers who are the people of Kenya.I’m glad this is coming to pass and today marks the start of big journey ahead of the launch of of UHC during Mashujaa Day Celebrations next month” remarked President Ruto.
Nakhumicha acknowledged the importance of CHPs for the link they provide between the community and formal health facilities,a crucial driver in advancing preventive health thus actualising Universal Health Coverage (UHC) which is expected to be rolled out during the upcoming Mashujaa Day Celebrations.
Community Health Promoters is team which has already been trained and equipped to promote preventive and promotive health at the community level through provision of basic services such as health education, disease prevention, and treatment.
By nature of their job, they will be required to interact with the people at the community level and get the relevant health information that will help in referral and also policy-making at the national level.
Monday exercise at Uhuru Park brought together a host of both national and county leaders among them various Cabinet Secretaries,over 30 Governors, Senators and Members of Parliament.
Others who attended the much hyped event dubbed #AfyaMashinani were Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa and representative from the United Nations.
