By Wendy Wakhusama | April 2025
In October 2024, Kenya’s Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Financing Alliance for Health (FAH), undertook a comprehensive assessment of the Kenya Quality Model for Community Health (KQMCH). Piloted in 2022, KQMCH represents a significant step toward institutionalizing quality improvement within community health systems—a cornerstone in the country’s journey to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This joint assessment, conducted across nine counties, examines how KQMCH standards are being implemented, how Work Improvement Teams (WITs) are functioning, and what lessons can be drawn to inform national scale-up. It brought together critical partners, including the Division of Community Health, LVCT Health, and county governments, with strategic funding from the Global Fund, channeled through Amref Health Africa. FAH continues to provide technical assistance to the national government in advancing community health reforms through its role as a Strategic Initiative partner of the Global Fund.
The findings paint a picture of promising progress. All assessed counties had establishedWork Improvement Teams (WITs), which have catalyzed local innovations ranging from increased antenatal care attendance to better tracking of immunization defaulters. However, gaps persist in areas such as policy dissemination, workforce training, and financing.
As Kenya moves to scale KQMCH nationally, this assessment offers not only critical data but also a blueprint for action—calling for strengthened leadership, clearer terms of reference for WITs, and more robust investment in community health systems.
Together with partners, we remain committed to ensuring every Kenyan has access to high-quality care, starting where health begins: in the community.
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