The first quarterly meeting of 2024 for the Community Health Units for Universal Health Coverage (CHU4UHC) Platform was held to reflect on the significant strides made in 2023 and allowed key stakeholders to plug into strategic initiatives for the year ahead.
The collective effort of the CHU4UHC platform and its partners, among them the Financing Alliance for Health (FAH), in 2023 yielded remarkable achievements, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing community health across the nation.
Dr. Maureen Kimani from the Ministry of Health, acknowledged efforts by key partners like FAH, who are playing a significant role in implementing the country’s current National Community Health Strategy. “Reflecting on our journey, we’ve witnessed remarkable growth, expanding our network of partners from six to over twenty in just the last three years. This collaborative effort speaks to the shared commitment towards enhancing community health.” she said. Dr. Kimani stressed the need to develop a new National Community Health Strategy, as the current one is set to end in 2025.
FAH Country Engagement members have collaborative discussions with representatives from the CHU4UHC platform.
Key milestones include:
- Mapping and launch of 106,809 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), strengthening the grassroots network for improved healthcare.
- A technological leap was achieved with the distribution of 110,000 smartphones to CHPs across forty-seven counties, enhancing their capabilities.
- The initiation of stipend payments to 100,000 CHPs. Thirty-four counties contributed their share to this crucial initiative. The provision of essential resources was facilitated by the launch of 100,000 CHP kits, equipping frontline health workers with the tools they need to provide quality care.
- A technological milestone was achieved with the rollout of the Electronic Community Health Information System (E-CHIS) in twenty-six out of forty-seven counties. Over 61,000 CHPs were trained on its use, with an additional twenty-one counties in various stages of training.
- There are currently 43,000 CHPs reporting in ECHIS
The focus for 2024 remains building upon these successes and collaboratively forging a way forward.
Ministry of Health representative highlights key 2023 achievements and outlines ambitious goals for 202
2024: Forging Ahead
The achievements of 2023 set a solid foundation for the ongoing efforts to enhance community health. Julius Mbeya, the Chair of the platform, said “Looking forward to 2024, our focus is on refining the platform’s agenda and securing the sustainability of the hard-earned gains in Community Health.” He urged the platform’s members to consider collaboration opportunities, emphasizing on financing mechanisms to support government in achieving its objectives before the time of the current strategy lapses.
A commitment from FAH
During the meeting, FAH expressed its commitment to scaling up and sustaining community health initiatives in Kenya, emphasizing the pivotal role of costed implementation plans for community health at the county level. FAH has been actively involved in supporting six counties, where it has facilitated the development of robust plans and investment cases.
As the journey unfolds into 2024, FAH’s commitment extends beyond the confines of its current operations. The organization is poised to collaborate closely with national and sub-national governments, engaging in resource mapping, expenditure tracking for community and primary health care, and resource mobilization. This multifaceted approach aligns with FAH’s overarching goal of achieving financial sustainability while expanding its reach to Community Health and Primary Health Care initiatives.
Platforms such as the CHU4UHC demonstrate the power of collective dedication towards building a resilient and sustainable healthcare infrastructure, laying the groundwork for a future where community health is prioritized, and every individual has access to quality care.