Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the Government will expand the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) programme to reach all the households in the country to enhance earlier detection of diseases.
Speaking at Kapkatet Stadium, Kericho County when he opened the Universal Health Coverage Pre-Mashujaa Conference, the Deputy President said the 100, 000 Community Health Promoters have been fully kitted and will visit homes for promotive and preventive healthcare.
“The cost of treatment is nine times more than the cost of preventing diseases. The Community Health Promoters will be going home to home doing tests. We ask our people to welcome them because it is less costly to prevent diseases than to treat,” he said.
Mr Gachagua said the Community Health Promoters programme is a timely intervention by the government in the health sector adding that the fruits of the programme will be felt in every household in the country.
He added that the CHPs were already doing an excellent job on the ground barely a month after the programme was launched by President William Ruto.
“I commend the Community Health Promoters, who have been engaged for this assignment. You are our heroes. We can’t pay you enough for the splendid work you are already undertaking. Once again, we count on your utmost dedication to deliver to Kenyans, the Promise of Universal Health Coverage,” the Deputy President stated.
The DP was accompanied by Governors Erick Mutai (Kericho), Hillary Barchok (Bomet) Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Labour and Social Protection Counterpart Florence Bore, Kericho Deputy Governor Fred Kirui, National Assembly Health Committee Chairperson Robert Pukose, Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene (Vice Chair Health Committee), Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge,
Narok County MP Rebecca Tonkei, Narok West MP Ken Aramat (Chair National Assembly Health Committee), Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot among others.
The DP said they were working closely the with Counties in establishing sustainable structures to ensure the programme succeeds and more Kenyans benefit from it.
He added that the Government has allocated Sh141billion to the Ministry of Health, with at least Sh18.4 billion set aside for the Universal Health Coverage.
“We are determined to meeting and surpassing the minimum target of 15% of the National Budget to the Health Sector as per the Abuja Declaration of 2001,” he said.
With the improved working relationship with the county governments, the Deputy President challenged the devolved units to ensure adequate availability of drugs in the hospitals.
“All the counties should ensure sufficient drugs in every facility in the country. The habit of sending patients to private clinics to buy medicine should be a thing of the past,” he said.
The DP also visited the home of Mr Robert Sinei at Kiptiriri village in Cheborgei Location Bureti Sub County to ascertain the effectiveness of the Programme. Mr Sinei’s son found with high fever by Community Health Promoter who referred him to the nearby Cheborgei Health Centre for treatment.
The DP, who also visited the Health Centre on his way to Kapkatet Stadium, said it was encouraging to see the real impact the programme was having in the villages.
Mr Gachagua also issued a certificate to Kericho County Referral Hospital after its elevation to Level 5 health facility.
“The Level 5 facility alongside Kapkatet Hospital, must redefine medical services in this region. Besides creating a favourable environment for research and incubation of medical innovations, students will have an opportunity of shaping and sharpening their skills,” he said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said they will ensure the programme succeeds for quicker realisation of the Universal Health Coverage.
“We thank the President and the Deputy President for fully supporting the programme. They have been the leading champions. This year the Community Health Promoters will receive a stipend beginning this month,” she said.
Kericho Governor Erick Mutai thanked the government for focusing on improving the country’s health sector.
We will work with the national government to improve the health in our county. The Promoters will move from one village to another so they help in early detection of diseases and prevention,” he said.
