Kajiado: At the crack of dawn in Naningoi village, Kajiado Central Constituency, Lenah Lipan puts down her cup of tea, dons her faded rubber shoes, and sets off on a rocky footpath weaving between homesteads. This routine, repeated for 13 years, underscores her dedication as one of Kajiado’s Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who serve as the backbone of rural healthcare.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kajiado County spans over 21,000 square kilometers but is served by only 136 public health facilities. This makes accessing healthcare services in rural areas a significant challenge. However, the diligent CHPs bridge this gap by delivering essential health services to remote households.
By mid-morning, Lipan arrives at the home of an expectant mother. ‘We keep reminding them why antenatal clinics matter,’ Lipan explains as she checks the mother’s blood pressure and blood sugar. Esukuta Unit, where Lipan operates, has 16 CHPs, each visiting specific households armed with basic medical tools for early disease detection and maternal healthcare.
Veronica Lankoi, a CHP in Intinyika village, shares that since actively following up on expectant mothers, maternal deaths have significantly decreased. Lankoi and her colleagues also tackle common childhood ailments and encourage immunization, using their influence to promote skilled births over traditional midwifery.
The adoption of the Electronic Community Health Information System (ECHIS) has enhanced their work, allowing CHPs to efficiently record and track health data. This data assists the Ministry of Health in formulating policies and planning budgets for health services.
Despite progress, CHPs face challenges such as stigmatization of diseases like HIV, minimal stipends, and the vast distances they travel under harsh conditions. Lipan highlights the need for increased government support to sustain their efforts and improve community health outcomes.
Kajiado County Executive Committee Member for Health, Alex Kilowua, acknowledges the challenges posed by the county’s vastness but credits CHPs for their vital role in improving health outcomes through household visits and community health initiatives.
The government, through the Ministry of Health, continues to support preventive healthcare, with over 100,000 CHPs deployed nationwide to accelerate Universal Health Coverage.
