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Ottichilo okays healthcare bill to pay CHVs

First county to formalise engagement and put volunteers on payroll

In Summary

• Vihiga first county to enact a CHV Amendment Bill 2022 into law providing roadmap whereby county executive will engage volunteers.

• Instead of small stipends, the 1,145 CHVs will be paid, the amount and benefits yet to be determined. 

by MARTIN OMBIMA @OmbimaPatrick
Western
15 June 2022 - 22:00
Community health volunteer Daniel Akothee stops to talk to vendors and customers about Covid-19, asking them if they have been vaccinated. If not, he asks their reasons and gently tries to dispels any myths with the correct information.
HEALTH VOLUNTEER: Community health volunteer Daniel Akothee stops to talk to vendors and customers about Covid-19, asking them if they have been vaccinated. If not, he asks their reasons and gently tries to dispels any myths with the correct information.
Image: FILE

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo has signed the County Healthcare Services Bill into law, providing for use of community health volunteers.

The governor said Vihiga is the first county to enact CHV Amendment Bill 2022 into law, providing a legal roadmap on engaging volunteers.

It was signed on Tuesday. 

The county has 1,145 CHVs who receive small stipends but now they will be on the county payroll. Their pay and benefits will decided.

The county boss said it will entrench CHVs into the county government health structure as an essential component in primary healthcare.

“The law will now give our CHVs recognition as an integral part of the human capital in the Health Services Department,” Ottichilo said.

"For a very long time, our CHVs have been forgotten. This bill fully recognises their input and entrenches them as our Level 1 human capital in the healthcare system," the governor said.

Ottichilo said the CHVs are  key in primary health care issues.

The county boss says if primary healthcare is properly dealt with at the county level, many health issues will be solved.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo signing the Healthcare Bill into law at the county headquarters on Tuesday, June 14.
SIGNING: Governor Wilber Ottichilo signing the Healthcare Bill into law at the county headquarters on Tuesday, June 14.
Image: MARTIN OMBIMA

“Most of the complications that our people suffer from can be solved. Our people comply with simple regulations of hygiene and that can be well assisted by CHVs,” he added.  

The governor said they have set up a health product unit that will mange health services in the county. It will be run by top health officials in the county

He said the unit will ensure residents are getting value for money across the county.

Health Services executive Prof Inonda Mwanje termed the bill a landmark, saying it make a Vihiga county stand out for engagement​​ of CHVs in a structured manner to improve primary healthcare.

John Epeta, CHV at Lobanga village in Lapur, Turkana West subcounty, uses thermometer to take a baby's temperature.
HEALTH VOLUNTEER: John Epeta, CHV at Lobanga village in Lapur, Turkana West subcounty, uses thermometer to take a baby's temperature.
Image: FILE:

Present were deputy speaker Zechariah Murefu, Karega Mboku (chairman, Health committee), county secretary Ezekiel Ayiego, chief officer for Health Dr Mary Anyiendah, county attorney Aggrey Musiega , Joseph Lunani, the governor's adviser on governance and ICT, and county pharmacist Dr Jerusa Olukano.

(Edited by V. Graham)

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by MARTIN OMBIMA @OmbimaPatrick
Western
15 June 2022 - 22:00

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