Championing Voices of Community Health Workers: A Collaborative Effort to enhance Healthcare Delivery

 A Collaborative Effort to Enhance Healthcare Delivery

Over time, Community health volunteers now referred to as Community health promoters, have been on the verge of giving up from their indelible, out of heart vocation of promoting health care in communities, by creating connections between vulnerable populations and healthcare providers. It is in the light of this that researchers from the University of Nairobi and University of Edinburg joined forces to undertake an ethnographic research in Isiolo County, among the few marginalized areas in Kenya.

Isiolo County is also recognized to have the highest number of Non-Governmental Organizations with solutions- driven agenda towards solving the indigent challenges faced in Isiolo County, hence the reason why Isiolo is one of the regions with the highest number of Community Health workers to facilitate on ground reach to the community.

The University of Nairobi disseminated research findings from the Ethnographic study done in Isiolo on November 8, 2023, hosted at the Chandaria Auditorium, UoN Towers, 5th floor, to amplify the voices of community health workers (CHWs), shed light on their invaluable contributions to healthcare and advocate for their improved conditions. The significant gathering brought together a diverse audience including national policymakers from the government’s Ministry of Health, Community health promoters, Health care professionals, researchers, academicians and students from the University of Nairobi.

The event aptly titled “Community Health Workers Voices” moderated by Prof. Owuor Olungah from the Department of Anthroplogy &Gender, UoN, witnessed presentations on Digitization of Community Health and its recommendations, the lives of Community Health Workers and provided a platform for CHWs to share their experiences, challenges and aspirations. Through the compelling presentations, key note speeches and an exhibition of poignant photographs, the event vividly portrayed the realities of CHWs daily lives and the often overlooked contributions they make to community healthcare.

Among the notable speakers at the momentous occasion were, Dr. Kathy Dodworthy, a research associate at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Ouma Oluga, Health systems expert and Secretary General KMPDU, Mr. Said Guyo, Community Health Coordinator, Isiolo County and Ms. Margret Odera, A community Health Worker who breathed life to the occasion by inciting Community Health Promoters to raise their voices, encouraging them to continue touching lives and influencing policy makers to appreciate them more.

The research findings, gathered from the ethnographic study conducted in Isiolo County shed light on the intricate dynamics of CHWs work. The study highlighted the dedication and resilience of CHWs who often operate in remote areas with limited resources. Yet, despite these challenges, CHWs play a crucial role in bridging the gap between healthcare services and underserved communities.

“How do we empower communities to enlighten Community Health Promoters to lighten their work as they emgage with the community “sparks Dr. Oluga as he gives a presentation on perspective from a healthcare practitioner during the event.

In recognition of their pivotal role, the event also presented recommendations for further implementing the research findings and enhancing CHWs working conditions. These recommendations included increased training and support, improved remuneration and better access to county resources and equipment to ease the vocation.

The event concluded with a call to action urging the government to streamline policies that promote community health initiatives and acknowledge the indelible contributions of CHWs. A suggestion was also thrown to the University of Nairobi to consider filling the gap by forming a curricular for the inculcation of Community Health Studies to empower community health promoters with more knowledge and even certification to practice the vocation. By recognizing and supporting CHWs, governments can strengthen and improve the wellbeing of communities across the country.

The community Health workers voices event marked a significant step towards amplifying the voices of CHWs and advocating for their improved working conditions. By bringing together policy makers, healthcare professionals, researchers and community members the event fostered a dialogue that has the potential to transform the landscape of community healthcare in Kenya.

The University of Nairobi, once again has driven an agenda through research and development of creating solutions towards cubing challenges faced in societies bridging the gap between academia, the industry and the community, promoting an empowered community in Kenya and the world.