Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured Community Health Promoters
(CHPs) that the government is working hard to improve their terms of
engagement.
Kindiki said the administration is aware of the
challenges facing CHPs and praised them for their excellent work in promoting
better healthcare.
Speaking on Thursday when he hosted more than
3,000 CHPs from Embu County at Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, the Deputy
President commended their role in early disease detection and driving the
uptake of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“We are grateful for the work the Community
Health Promoters are doing. You are the foot soldiers of our flagship Universal
Health Coverage project. You are our infantry on the frontline in our pursuit
of better healthcare,” the DP stated.
With SHA registration now at over 26 million
and projected to hit 30 million by December, the DP said such progress would
not have been possible without the tireless efforts of CHPs.
“SHA registration would not have been a
success without the support of CHPs. You are our SHA heroes. We appreciate what
you are doing. We are focused on improving your working conditions,” he
reiterated.
In 2023, the national government, in collaboration with the 47 counties, recruited more than 107,000 CHPs and equipped each with medical kits to aid in disease detection and referrals for treatment.
They are deployed across the country and receive a monthly stipend
co-financed by both levels of government.
“The decision to recruit CHPs is one of the
most consequential healthcare interventions since independence. What you are
doing is great. You have saved the lives of many Kenyans who have known their
health condition early and received treatment before it worsened,” the DP said.
He added that millions of Kenyans have
benefited from their services.
“They visit homes, take basic medical tests
for blood pressure, diabetes and others, advise on diet, refer patients who
need medical attention to hospitals, and follow up daily to ensure those on
medication adhere to prescriptions,” he noted.
The DP also outlined progress in development
projects in Embu County, including infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving
livelihoods.
Several stalled roads have been revived and
are on course to completion, while 12 modern markets are under construction in
the county.
The government has also allocated Sh1.2
billion for last-mile electricity connections, up from Sh576 million, following
appeals from local leaders.
“We are grateful to Embu Governor Cecily
Mbarire and aligned MPs for supporting our agenda. We will support you fully. I
will do whatever I can to drive development in Embu County. I am available 24/7
to do this,” the DP assured.
Governor Mbarire, who attended the event,
described CHPs as a cornerstone of the SHA.
“CHPs have done a great job in promoting
better healthcare among our people. They have pushed SHA uptake at the
grassroots. They are the true ambassadors of SHA,” said Governor Mbarire.
