Roles Of Community Health Workers In Kenya (2024)

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a crucial role in Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

The various roles of the Community Health Workers In Kenya include Health Education & Promotion, Maternal and Child Health, and Disease prevention & control amongst others.

Roles Of Community Health Workers In Kenya

Here are the roles of Community Health Workers in Kenya:

• Health Education And Promotion

The provision of health education is one of the foremost responsibilities of CHWs. Community Health Workers In Kenya provide health education and promotion to individuals, families, and communities on various health-related topics such as disease prevention, family planning, hygiene and sanitation, nutrition, and maternal and child health.

• Disease Prevention And Control

Furthermore, Community Health Workers assist in the prevention and control of communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS by conducting community-based interventions such as bed net distribution, immunization campaigns, and health screening.

• Maternal And Child Health

Another work of Community Health Workers in Kenya is to provide maternal and child health care solutions. CHWs provide antenatal and postnatal care services to pregnant women, promote safe delivery practices, and conduct follow-up visits to monitor the health of mothers and newborns.

• Health Service Delivery

Additionally, CHWs support health service delivery by assisting in the identification and referral of patients with health conditions that require specialized care.

• Health Monitoring And Reporting

CHWs collect and report health data to the local health authorities, which is crucial in disease surveillance and outbreak response.

• Advocacy And Community Mobilization

Community of Health Workers in Kenya advocate for the health needs of their communities and mobilize community members to participate in health-related activities and campaigns.

How Do You Join Community Health Workers In Kenya?

To become a Community Health Worker (CHW) in Kenya, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Be a Kenyan citizen and a resident of the community where you wish to work.

• Have a minimum of a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) or an equivalent qualification.

• Be of good character and possess good communication skills.

• Be willing to work in rural and underserved areas.

• Be recommended by your local community leadership.

Once you meet the above requirements, you can apply to join the CHW program through the nearest health facility or county health office. The application process usually involves filling out an application form and undergoing an interview process to assess your suitability for the role.

Upon successful selection, you will undergo a training program that covers various topics such as community health, disease prevention and control, maternal and child health, and health promotion. The training program may take several weeks to several months, depending on the level of training required.

After completing the training, you will receive a certificate of qualification as a CHW and be deployed to work in your local community.

How Was Community Health Workers (CHWs) Initially Established In Kenya?

Community Health Workers (CHWs) have a long history in Kenya, dating back to the 1950s. At that time, the government recognized the need for healthcare services in rural and underserved areas, and CHWs were identified as a key strategy to address this need.

In the 1970s, the government launched the National Health Policy, which included the establishment of CHWs as a formal part of the country’s healthcare system. The policy aimed to train and deploy CHWs in all parts of the country to improve access to primary healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Since then, the government has continued to invest in the training and deployment of CHWs, to achieve improved health coverage and improving health outcomes for all Kenyans. The CHW program is now an integral part of the country’s healthcare system and plays a crucial role in the delivery of primary healthcare services to communities.

The Kenyan government has also collaborated with international organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, and USAID to support the CHW program through funding, technical assistance, and capacity building. These partnerships have helped to strengthen the CHW program and improve its effectiveness in meeting the healthcare needs of communities across Kenya.

Related:

• Top 10 Most Profitable Crops To Grow In Kenya
• Top 10 Most Developed Towns In Kenya
• Advantages Of Being A Cadet In Kenya

Conclusion

CHWs play a critical role in bridging the gap between communities and formal health systems, promoting health equity, and improving health outcomes in Kenya. The roles of community health workers in Kenya cannot be over expressed.

Further support should be provided for CHWs by the government because the roles of the group have an immense effect on the overall medical condition of Kenyan residents.