Governor Barasa celebrates Community Health Promoters as ‘mashujaa’

Kakamega,

Friday, October 20, 2023

KNA by Moses Wekesa

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has honored more than 4,000 Community Health Promoters who serve residents terming them the ‘mashujaas’ in the healthcare sector.

Speaking during the 60th Mashujaa day celebrations held at Lumakanda grounds in Lugari constituency, Barasa committed to improve the CHPs working conditions and terms.

“Against all odds, inadequate training, poor remuneration, inadequate facilitation and lack of equipment. They accompany expectant mothers, support them in taking care of babies and link those who are in pain to more specialized service providers,” Barasa said.

This, he said, is because the officers have risen to the needs of the moment and filled the huge gap in medical services provision.

Under the theme Universal Healthcare, Barasa further oversaw distribution of health kits and uniforms to 400 CHPs in Lugari constituency distributed in the six wards.

“When people are calling for big salaries and allowances, you are serving your people virtually for free. As your Governor I want to assure you that we will travel this journey together,” he said.

The kits consisted of a baby weighing scale, adults weighing scale, pressure, smartphone, jacket with logo and reflector, salter scale, back pack bag and CHP badge which is a unique identifier and many other items.

“My immediate call goes to mothers, nurturers of lives in communities; to ensure that they attend clinics when expecting and to undertake all the mandatory vaccinations to boost their children's’ immunity against diseases,” he said.

On Wednesday, Governors signed a Declaration on Human Resources for Health at Kapkatet Stadium in Kericho County; a commitment to ensure access to quality healthcare.

Deputy Governor Ayub Savula noted that the CHPs who will serve between 50-100 households have been well equipped.

“The kits distributed today are a symbol of the commitment of this government to ensure there is improved access to healthcare services and also good quality care,”Savula said.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera welcomed the move saying adequate funding to the devolved units will improve quality of health services in local facilities.

At the beginning of the financial year 2023/2024, Barasa unveiled goodies for CHPs which included an increased monthly stipend from Sh2, 000 to Sh2, 500 effective July, 1, 2023.

At the national Government, President William Ruto had also promised to supplement each of them with another Sh2, 500, this brings their total stipend to Sh5, 000.

On Friday, Ruto flagged off drugs and kits worth millions of shillings for 100,000 CHPs at the Kericho Green Stadium where the national fete was held.

Courtesy; KNA