Siaya: More than 107,000 community health providers have been trained by the government as part of measures to curb the death of children under five years, Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said. In a speech read on his behalf by the Director General of Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth during the World Pneumonia Day celebrations held in Siaya, the CS stated the government’s commitment to strengthening primary health care by ensuring that Community Health Providers (CHPs) are equipped with knowledge on integrated community case management.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS acknowledged that while Kenya has made progress in reducing deaths resulting from pneumonia, there are still gaps needing attention. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey highlighted that only four out of ten children with symptoms of acute respiratory infection received care within 48 hours. Duale emphasized the urgency by stating, “Pneumonia kills fast and therefore, care must be earlier, closer and affordable.”
Pneumonia remains a leading cause of death among children worldwide, claiming over 700,000 young lives annually. Duale remarked, “Every 43 seconds, a child is lost to pneumonia,” highlighting the personal and community impact behind the statistics. However, he acknowledged Kenya’s progress in reducing these deaths through continuous investment in vaccination programs.
The CS urged community health providers to educate households on prevention methods and to assist families in early identification of danger signs. He also called on county governments to collaborate with the national government to expand access to pneumonia case management in various regions.
The national event, held at the Siaya Kenya Medical Training College grounds, was also addressed by Siaya County Commissioner Nobert Komora and other Siaya county government officials.
