Principal Secretary of the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni has said it is time to recognise the vital role Community Health Promoters play.
Speaking on Monday in Kaptatet, Kericho County, during the Universal Health Coverage commemoration, the PS disclosed that the government has established a framework to provide them with a stipend in recognition of their commendable contributions within households.
"What we have done is to create a structure and an appreciation for them for the good work they are doing in the households to ensure have a stipend at any given time," she added.
She further dismissed the notion that community health promoters are to replace established professions.
"Community Health Promoters are not replacing any profession at any given time and they have been called volunteers," she added.
She also offered clarity regarding the responsibilities of CHPs, highlighting their primary focus on administering first aid.
"Their role is really basic, it is simply the role we play as mothers. Instead of going to the chemistry, these Community Healthcare Promoters will basically do first aid." the PS said.
President William Ruto few weeks ago flagged off the distribution of 100,000 kits to be used by the CHPs at Uhuru Park.
According to the Ministry of Health, the kits will be essential tools for household screening by the CHPs who will be at the centre of Universal Health Coverage.
Under UHC, the government seeks to focus on promotive and preventive health.
The kits aim to empower and equip CHPs with essential tools to enhance healthcare access and promote healthier communities to achieve the UHC goal.
The Universal Health Coverage Conference will go for four days in Kaptatet, Kericho County starting Monday, October 16.
The conference is centered around the theme "Afia Mashinani," seeking to explain the government's initiatives towards ensuring that all Kenyan citizens have access to comprehensive health coverage.
