Kakamega Governor, Fernandes Barasa, has reassured the over 4,200 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in the county of their full support in their endeavour to promote primary healthcare.
He made the commitment during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Lumakanda grounds in Lugari Sub-county, where he launched the distribution of the CHP kits under the theme of Universal Healthcare.
Barasa expressed his administration’s commitment to improving the CHP’s working conditions and terms, besides ensuring the success of the CHPS programme in the county.
He reminded the CHPs that they are the real heroes and heroines who should be celebrated for their selfless service to the communities they serve.
“Today, I want to celebrate you. You are my heroes and heroines because you are sacrificing your time and resources, and sometimes you take risks to save other people’s lives,” he said.
“During this difficult time, you have come in to support my government and your communities. Just like the great men and women who fought for freedom, your services will forever be remembered.
“You are the new model of the real servants of the people. When other people are calling for big salaries and allowances”, you are serving our people virtually for free.”
The governor said the CHPs have risen to the needs of the moment by filling the huge gap in the provision of medical services.
“Despite the dismal working conditions and terms, they accompany expectant mothers, support them in taking care of babies, and link those who are in pain to more specialised service providers.
“As your governor, I want to assure you that we will travel this journey together. I will take all the measures to ease your work by prioritising your welfare, ensuring you are properly facilitated, and ensuring your monthly stipends come on time,” he stated.
The governor said the kits will play a great role in facilitating what the CHPs are doing in terms of primary health care.
Barasa lauded President William Ruto for assenting into law the four Bills, meant to spearhead the Universal Health Coverage Plan.
The four included the Social Health Insurance Act, the Digital Health Act, the Primary Healthcare Act, and the Facility Improvement Financing Act.
“The Primary Healthcare Act takes care of CHPs; the Social Health Insurance Act will take care of our cancer patients; the Facility Improvement Financing Act will enable health facilities to utilise the revenue they raise; and the Digital Health Act will help us keep patient records,” he explained.
Deputy Governor Ayub Savula told the attendants that with the new kits, the CHPs are now adequately equipped to serve hundreds of Kakamega residents in need of primary health care.
He said residents will no longer need to travel to health facilities for basic screening and treatment of minor ailments.
Lugari lawmaker Nabii Nabwera lauded the county and the national government for the CHPS programme, saying it will be pivotal in promoting Primary Health Care.
Among the items in the new CHP kits are a first aid box, an identification jacket, weighing scales for adults and children, an infrared clinical thermometer for contact-free measurement of temperature, a mid-upper arm circumference tape measure for children and adults, a torch, a pressure-taking machine, and a water flask.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
