The health department in the Teso North sub-county in Busia has received a major boost following the government effort to equip over 400 Community Health Promoters with Health Kits to aid them in promoting preventive health.
The health kits contain essential commodities such as a First Aid Box, weighing scale, clinical thermometer, measuring tape, blood pressure machine, blood sugar machine, medicine box, and flashlight, among others. They will also receive tablets to enable them to document, store, and relay important data.
Speaking at Amagoro Polytechnic, when she issued the kits, Busia County Director of Health Melisa Lutoma urged the government to prioritise the capacity building of CHPs to ease pressure on the health facilities that have been ailing for years now.
Lutoma applauded the efforts by CHPs in ensuring the HIV/AIDS preference rate in Busia County dropped from 13 per cent to 5 per cent, even as they remain forefront in the fight against malaria, teenage pregnancies, and non-communicable diseases.
“The government is committed to putting in place sound health systems that ensure that our people access affordable, comprehensive care ranging from disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation,” noted Dr. Lutomia.
She added that CHPs form a critical component of healthcare service delivery in the county since they are the first point of contact for patients in the community.
According to Dr.Lutomia, each CHP will be in charge of 100 households and will be linked to a health facility nearest to the community that they are serving.
His sentiments were echoed by the County Assembly Health Committee led by Agnes Nangane, Judy Ojaamong, and Beatrice Akinyi, who noted that they will table a motion in the assembly to ensure that CHPs are given priority when it comes to payment and health coverage.
“We will sponsor a health bill in the assembly to put the issues affecting CHPs at the centre of health matters, giving them priority when it comes to payment,” noted Nangane.
The committee took the opportunity to educate the community on menstrual hygiene to mitigate cases of teenage pregnancies as a result of the vulnerability of girls from poor families.
“Let us break the silence and the stigma that surrounds menstruation. We are here today to educate you on how we can end the stigma that surrounds menstruation. You will also receive pads that are supposed to reach the intended users. Our able Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma, is the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) champion, and that’s why we need to advocate for menstrual Hygiene in the whole county,” noted Judy Ojaamong.
Dr. Janerose Ambuchi urged CHPs to advocate in the community on the importance of menstruation and why they need to know more about menstrual Hygiene Management
“Menstruation is physiological, and it is very important for every woman because if you don’t get your periods, then it means you will not have babies, so let us not shy away from periods,” she said.
Ambuchi said very many children have dropped out of school because they lacked sanitary towels to help them maintain their dignity.
The subcounty CHP Chairperson, Charles Olung’a, urged both the county and national governments to ensure an adequate supply of pharmaceuticals, especially for non-communicable diseases, for them to win community trust.
He thanked CHPs for their years of dedication and noted that under the current arrangement, they will each be receiving a Sh5,000 monthly stipend.
By Absalom Namwalo
