Waiguru commits counties’ full support for success of community health promoters’ program
Governors have committed to ensure success of the Community Health Promoters (CHPS) program by allocating adequate resources.
Council of Governors (CoG) chair Anne Waiguru says most of the counties have already allocated over 30% of their total budgets to the health sector despite having 14 devolved functions.
While noting that the CHPs program will be a driving force behind healthier communities, Waiguru said that their work will reduce the burden on healthcare system by preventing diseases, promoting healthier lifestyles and providing vital health support to those in need.
Speaking during the flagging off of the promoters by President William Ruto at Uhuru Park, Waiguru said County Governments’ are fully committed to supporting the CHP program through allocating resources that will match national government allocation.
She said part of the budgets allocated to health sector by counties are already supporting primary health care services.
“The Community Health Promoters program will be a driving force behind healthier communities, and their work will undoubtedly reduce the burden on our healthcare system by preventing diseases, promoting healthier lifestyles and providing vital health support to those in need,” the governor noted.
Waiguru said strengthening of Primary Health Care (PHC) is at the heart of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and therefore as the Community Health Promoters program kick off there is need for adequate support from all stakeholders.
She said County Governments greatly value the health workforce because it is central to the delivery of quality health services.
“In this regard, county governments and the devolution family at large is here to celebrate this launch of our Community Health Promoters program,” she added.
She further called on local and international development partners to prioritize support for the community health program as a key contributor to UHC.
Waiguru said counties requires both technical and financial support in actualizing the UHC.
The promoters are set to receive a monthly stipend in a cost sharing arrangement that will see the national and county government fund the program.
The Kirinyaga Governor said that her administration has already factored in the health volunteers’ remuneration in this financial year’s budget.
The CHPs will be equipped with standardized medical kits holding tools that
Can undertake basic tests such as for blood pressure, sugar levels and temperature.
