Every 12th December, the world unites to commemorate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, a global reminder of the urgent need for equitable, affordable, and quality health services for everyone, everywhere. This year, Kenya joins the global community in celebrating monumental progress towards UHC, with significant strides made in strengthening the community health space—laying a robust foundation for health promotion and prevention at the grassroots level.
In 2024, Kenya witnessed key milestones that highlight the power of partnerships, innovation, and government investment in primary healthcare systems.
1. Remuneration for Community Health Promoters
In a landmark event in February 2024, the Ministry of Health, alongside partners, funders, county governments and CHPs, joined the launch and commission of the KES 3 billion Community Health Promoter (CHP) stipend by the National Government. This milestone addressed the long-standing issue of unremunerated CHPs, who tirelessly serve at the frontlines of health care.
The stipends, co-paid by the national and county governments on a 50:50 basis, recognize the critical role CHPs play in delivering preventive and promotive health services to millions of Kenyans. This signified not only financial empowerment for CHPs but also a step towards institutionalizing their contributions within the health system—a necessary move for achieving universal access to care.
2. Bridging Training Gaps
In January 2024, the Division of Community Health convened a meeting with community health stakeholders to identify key areas in Kenya’s community health landscape requiring attention to sustain the progress achieved in 2023. One critical gap was the lack of training among CHPs on basic health promotion and preventive care modules.
To address this, the Division, with support from the Global Fund and Amref Health Africa, launched a nationwide three-phased training program in June 2024. This was based on a revised CHP basic curriculum co-developed between DCH, Amref, UNICEF, and other partners. The curriculum for continuous learning has already been digitized on the MoH Virtual Academy.
This aimed to bridge significant skill gaps and empower CHPs with standardized training aligned to national guidelines. By building their capacity, the government aims to strengthen the community health workforce, enabling it to address Kenya’s pressing health needs, including maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, and other public health priorities.
3. Strengthening Primary Health Care Networks (PCNs)
Community Health Services does not operate in isolation. This means a proper and effective linkage between the community and PHC facilities has to be created and supported by all. Furthermore, community health services support PHC services by task-shifting services, reducing the patient numbers in the PHC facilities. Under the BETA Agenda and the #AfyaNyumbani framework, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners within the CHU4UHC platform, has made remarkable progress in establishing 205 Primary Care Networks (PCNs) against the target of 315.
These PCNs integrate health facilities and community units, ensuring seamless service delivery and referral systems. The PCN model emphasizes health promotion, prevention, and proximal access to essential health services, including immunizations, family planning, and chronic disease management—bringing Kenya closer to the goal of UHC.
4. Successful eCHIS full deployment countrywide
The digitization of community health services in Kenya marks a transformative milestone in the journey toward universal health coverage. By equipping Community Health Promoters with digital tools, it has enhanced data collection, reporting, and real-time decision-making, leading to improved service delivery and accountability (performance management). Digitizing community health services reporting has strengthened the link between communities and health systems, ensuring timely interventions and better health outcomes.
With strong political commitment, robust partnerships, and the #AfyaNyumbani pledge driving progress, digitization continues to empower health workers and expand access to quality health care for all Kenyans.
As we celebrate UHC Day 2024, we salute the efforts of community health promoters, the government, funders and partners who have worked tirelessly to transform Kenya’s health landscape. Let us continue to build on these achievements, advocate for increased investment in community health systems, and strengthen partnerships to realize a healthier, more equitable Kenya for all.