By Betty Luke
Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in Isiolo’s Ngaremara, Oldonyiro, Garbatulla, Sericho, Chari and Cherab wards will benefit with medical kits meant to enable them effectively deliver services to the residents.
The items, donated by the Catholic Relief Services in partnership with other Non-Governmental organizations through the Nawiri program, seeks to strengthen the Community Health Systems for improved services especially in remote areas.
The items include 600 bags for carrying medical tools, 500 aprons for CHV identification purposes, cups and spoons for demonstration during home visits and 900 copies of Baby Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) tools.
Other items donated were copies of Community Health Systems act, copies of household registers, referral forms and checklists for community health.
Concern Worldwide representative Hassan Olow said the donations were aimed ensuring the locals in areas where there are no nearby health facilities access quality healthcare and at ease.
“Due to the vastness of the county, the CHVs act as a bridge between the people and local health facilities. We therefore want to ensure they effectively dispense services,” said Mr Olow.
Medical Services Chief Officer Abdirahman Ibrahim lauded the initiative saying it would greatly help in promotion of primary healthcare.
“We appeal to other donors to also help us strengthen the healthcare systems since the county is vast and the available health facilities cannot satisfy the current need,” said Mr Ibrahim.
His Public Health counterpart Bisharo Hassan there was need to ensure the CHVs who play a crucial role in the community have enough tools for work.
The five-year Nawiri program supported the county government in drafting the CHS Act and has been sensitizing the stakeholders on the act.
Mr Olow appealed to the devolved government to ensure implementation of the act that he said would help to ensure the CHVs perform their mandate.
Apart from making home visits and delivering health promotion messages, the volunteers also treat common illnesses and establish protocols for maternal and newborn health at the community level.
They also take part in preventive measures as well as identify disease outbreak and refer patients to the nearest health centers.
The county has over 700 health volunteers across the 10 wards.
