The Kenyan government is set to deploy 100,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs) who will manage the innovative Primary Care Network (PCN). This is part of strategic moves to revolutionise healthcare in the East African nation.
The smart PCN, scheduled for launch next month, aims to give primary healthcare (PH) a prominent role, focusing on preventive rather than curative measures to reduce the disease burden in the country.
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Transforming Healthcare Delivery
According to Kenya News Agency, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, highlighted the importance of the CHPs. She emphasised that the CHPs will be instrumental in training and educating people in villages and households about preventive healthcare.
The deployment of 100,000 CHPs is part of the government’s ambitious plan to operationalize 315 Primary HealthCare Networks (PCNs) aimed at integrating care across different levels of the healthcare system. The official launch of the smart Primary Care Network is scheduled to take place on October 20, 2023, during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho County, under the theme “Universal Health Care.”
Shifting Focus to Preventive Healthcare
For years, Kenya’s healthcare system has predominantly focused on curative measures, resulting in an increase in the disease burden and the escalating cost of healthcare. Ms. Muthoni stressed the importance of a preventive and promotive healthcare approach, which entails addressing healthcare issues before they become incurable. Restructuring the health service delivery system is crucial to lowering the disease burden and improving the overall quality of life for Kenyans through an efficient, integrated, and affordable healthcare system.
Strengthening the Healthcare Workforce
Speaking in Naivasha during the Training of Trainers (ToT) for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) from all 47 counties, Ms Muthoni highlighted the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). This initiative identifies key gaps in the healthcare system, including inadequate human resources, health financing for universal healthcare, and an inefficient supply chain for healthcare commodities. To address these challenges, the government has initiated a plan that includes financial contributions from County Governments and other stakeholders to provide stipends for CHPs, equip existing Community Health Promoters, and leverage technology for data collection and reporting to ensure quality services.
Digitising Healthcare for Efficiency
The government is committed to the digitization of the healthcare system by interlinking health facilities to facilitate easy healthcare access, especially during referrals. Additionally, pending bills in Parliament, including the Social Insurance, Commodity Health, and Facility Improvement Bills, are all geared toward enhancing healthcare provision in Kenya. The establishment of a national health procurement board will further streamline the procurement of healthcare products, reducing costs through economies of scale. Moreover, the government is working to establish a fully integrated and interoperable health information ecosystem to improve responsiveness, efficiency, transparency, and data sharing among healthcare providers.
Empowering Communities for a Healthier Future
The deployment of Community Health Promoters is a significant step toward empowering communities with the knowledge and tools needed to prioritise their health and well-being. These CHPs will be the frontline educators, advising people on preventive healthcare measures and bridging the gap between local communities and healthcare services. By engaging with households and villages, these promoters will play a vital role in promoting health awareness and facilitating referrals when needed.
Expanding Health Insurance Coverage
Kenya’s healthcare system is undergoing a transformation to ensure that more households have access to health insurance through the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Package. This move is expected to improve healthcare affordability and accessibility for all Kenyans, further reducing the disease burden by providing timely and cost-effective care.
Streamlining Procurement and Enhancing Data Management
Efforts to streamline healthcare procurement processes will ensure the availability of essential medical supplies and reduce costs through efficient procurement. Moreover, the establishment of a fully integrated and interoperable health information ecosystem will not only improve patient care but also enhance data collection and sharing among healthcare providers, enabling more informed decision-making.
With these initiatives, Kenya aims to enhance healthcare delivery, increase health insurance coverage under the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Package, and provide more accessible and cost-effective healthcare services to its citizens. The Smart Primary Care Network and the deployment of Community Health Promoters represent significant steps towards achieving these goals, emphasising the importance of preventive healthcare in improving the nation’s overall health and well-being.