In Kenya, robust community health systems are essential for the well-being of citizens, focusing on addressing comprehensive health needs rather than just treating diseases. Leading this effort is the Community Health Units for Universal Health Care (CHU4UHC) platform, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Health’s Division of Community Health (DCH). Established in 2019, the CHU4UHC platform consisting of seven key organizations in Kenya, including UNICEF, AMREF Health Africa, Living Goods, Financing Alliance for Health (FAH), Medic, Lwala Community Alliance, and ENAI Africa. supported by The ELMA Philanthropies and Johnson & Johnson Foundation, this platform aligns with the Ministry of Health’s vision to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. By fostering collaboration and shared measurements, CHU4UHC aims to enhance community health service delivery, minimize resource redundancy, and promote cross-learning among stakeholders.
Recently, stakeholders from various organizations convened at the CHU4UHC Co-creation Workshop to strategize on strengthening community health systems in Kenya. The co-creation workshop, organized by the Ministry of Health’s Division of Community Health in partnership with CHU4UHC collaborators, centered around the theme of “Strategic Alliances for delivery of sustainable Afya Nyumbani, beyond a remunerated, skilled and digitized Community Health workforce using the Primary Health Care approach.” The workshop served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and develop actionable strategies to advance community health initiatives in Kenya.
Since its inception, the CHU4UHC platform has been instrumental in supporting the institutionalization of community health systems across 13 counties in Kenya. Through catalytic interventions, policy development, and capacity-building initiatives, the platform has sought to professionalize the community health workforce, enhance leadership and management systems, and ensure the prioritization and accountability of community health programs. Key initiatives spearheaded by the CHU4UHC platform include the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS), Community Scorecards, National and County Community Health legislations, Community Health workers registry, advocacy on streamlining CHS and PHC into the political parties’ manifestos, and Community Health Promoters certification among others.
Amidst the collaborative atmosphere of the co-creation workshop, we paused to acknowledge the outstanding leaders whose remarkable contributions have propelled Kenya’s community health system forward. Their dedication and innovative approaches have played a pivotal role in strengthening Kenya’s Community Health Systems, bringing us closer to the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage. Among those honoured were Dr. Salim Hussein, Head of Division of Primary Care Networks, recognized with the Maono Award for his visionary leadership; Dr. Maureen Kimani, Head of Division of Community Health, recipient of the Shujaa Award for her impactful work in community health; and Dr. Angela Gichaga, CEO of the Financing Alliance for Health, honoured with the Rasilimali Award for her role in securing resources to support community health initiatives. Additionally, we commend Rose Njiraini, recipient of the Bingwa wa Kimataifa Award for her advocacy on the international stage, and Robert Mutai, recognized with the Shinikizo Award for his efforts in implementing a robust digital system. These partners have made invaluable contributions, and their unwavering commitment serves as an inspiration as we continue to strive for comprehensive community health in Kenya.
As part of the consortia the Financing Alliance for Health, has supported 6 counties (Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyeri, Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi and Nakuru) in developing 6 Community Health Strategies with 5-Year Costed Implementation and 4 county specific Investment Cases with ROI and ensuring that 19,366 Community Health Promoters are recognized in policies thereby strengthening their community health systems. As the journey towards comprehensive community health in Kenya continues, collaboration remains paramount. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of stakeholders, we can overcome challenges and drive meaningful change in the community health space.
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