Waiguru says counties to support community health promoters programme

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru assists a child at the Kamiigua Polytechnic during the issuance of assorted assistive devices to 306 PWDs. [Jane Mugambi, Standard]

Governors have committed to ensure success of the Community Health Promoters (CHPS) programme by allocating adequate resources.

Council of Governors (CoG) chair Anne Waiguru said most counties have already allocated more than 30 per cent of their budgets to the health sector despite having 14 devolved functions.

Waiguru expressed optimism that CHPs will reduce the burden on healthcare system by preventing diseases, promoting healthier lifestyles and providing vital health support to families.

Speaking during the flagging off of the CHPs by President William Ruto at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, on Monday, the CoG chair assured that county governments' are fully committed to supporting the program through allocating resources that will match national government allocation.

She said part of the budgets allocated to health sector by counties are already supporting primary health care services.

"The Community Health Promoters programme will be a driving force behind healthier communities, and their work will undoubtedly reduce the burden on our healthcare system by preventing diseases, promoting healthier lifestyles and providing vital health support to those in need," she said.

The Kirinyaga governor emphasized that strengthening of Primary Health Care (PHC) is at the heart of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and therefore as the CHP programme kicks off there is need for adequate support from all stakeholders.

She said county governments value the health workforce because it is central to the delivery of quality health services.

"In this regard, county governments and the devolution family at large is here to celebrate this launch of our Community Health Promoters programme," she said.

The CoG chair further called on local and international development partners to prioritize support for the community health program as a key contributor to UHC.

Waiguru said counties require technical and financial support in actualizing the UHC.

The promoters are set to receive a monthly stipend in a cost sharing arrangement that will see the national and county government fund the program.

The governor said that her administration has already factored in the health volunteers' remuneration in this financial year's budget.

The CHPs will be equipped with standardized medical kits holding tools that can undertake basic tests such as for blood pressure, sugar levels and temperature.