The Nandi county health department has acquired motorcycles and a vehicle for Community Health Assistants (CHA) to enhance service delivery at the grass root level
County Governor Stephen Sang said the motorbikes provided to the health workers are designed to bring health care services closer to the people
Speaking at Kapsabet County referral hospital after flagging off the motorcycles, Sang said the motorbikes will be used to conduct outreach services, defaulter tracing, disease surveillance, health education at community level, home visits and referrals.
“The main purpose of this support is to improve access to primary health care services which include immunization, maternal and child health services at household level, health education and promotion among the vulnerable and marginalized groups in the county,” he said
Sang asked health workers to use the mobile mode of transportation to serve locals better adding that his administration will not tolerate laziness.
“ Mobility is very important to health workers that’s why my government in partnership with development partners have acquired this motorbikes and a vehicle to enable them reach residents in a timely manner and with ease,” he said
The governor noted that CHA plays a key role in prevention and control of diseases in rural areas thus needs a lot of support to ensure they work effectively.
They are volunteers selected from their communities as the first link with the health system. CHA identify common ailments and minor injuries at the community level for appropriate action, collect data and relay information to stake holders to inform programmes and policies and coordinate community health activities.
Other medical equipment’s flagged off include delivery beds and sets, phototherapy, radian warmers, suction machines, examination couches among others to boost maternity unit
Speaking at the same event, Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei said the move will enable locals to access quality medical care regardless of where they live.
She said CHA will be able to move with ease at the community level and identify defaulters of health interventions and other health cases and referring them to health facilities.
“The motorbikes will enable health workers to move around and create connections between vulnerable populations and health care providers,” she said
By Linet Wafula
