Counties ready to support Community Health Promoters - Waiguru

The Council of Governors has committed to ensuring the success of the Community Health Promoters (CHPS) program.

The governors led by their Chair Anne Waiguru said they will allocate adequate resources to ensure the program is a success.

She spoke at Uhuru Park on Monday during the flagging off of the CHP program.

Waiguru said most of the counties have already allocated over 30 per cent of their total budgets to the health sector despite having 14 devolved functions.

"Our work will reduce the burden on the healthcare system by preventing diseases, promoting healthier lifestyles and providing vital health support to those in need," Waiguru said.

Waiguru said County Governments’ are fully committed to supporting the CHP program through allocating resources that will match national government allocation.

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

“The Community Health Promoters program 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,” the governor noted.

Waiguru said strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) is at the heart of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and therefore as the Community Health Promoters program kicks off, there is a need for adequate support from all stakeholders.

She said County Governments greatly 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 are here to celebrate this launch of our Community Health Promoters program,” she added.

She 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 both 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 governments fund the program.