State, counties plan to recruit health promoters
President William Ruto yesterday announced that the National government has collaborated with counties to recruit community health promoters (CHPs) across the country.
One health promoter will be in charge of 100 homes, according to the Head of State who spoke during the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations at the Moi Stadium in Embu.
“First intervention will be ensuring 100,000 community health workers are hired by the government to ensure they provide the first line of response. This means that each promoter will be tasked with visiting Kenyans at their homes to determine whether any conditions need to be managed through healthier lifestyle or basic medical attention,” President Ruto said.
The health promoters will also be charged with helping people with chronic conditions manage their medications, diets, and general well-being in a way that avoids the need for hospitalisation.
In order to manage healthcare effectively, the promoters will simultaneously make it easier to identify conditions early so they can be referred for full attention.
The Head of State said these plans will breathe new life into the healthcare system and enable Kenyans to receive high-quality medical care while relaxing in their own homes.
Increased focus
According to the President, the government is also committed to providing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which will allow every Kenyan to obtain dignified healthcare at a low subscription fee.
The President reiterated his government’s commitment to the bottom-up economic model that propelled his election, saying the implementation of UHC will make treatment affordable and available to Kenyan households, no matter their socio-economic backgrounds.
Ruto also said his government will give an increased focus on preventive healthcare.
“We are committed to the active promotion of a healthcare system that is robustly attentive to preventive healthcare because prevention is always the most efficient deployment of resources and the best means of enhancing well-being and minimising suffering,” he said.
