A section of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Nakuru have decried lack of kits to enhance their work.

This, despite the launch of the distribution in September this year.

The Ministry of Health anticipates that the kits will help in the promotive and preventive program that aims at detecting health issues early and managing minor ones at the community level.

Read: Was Kihika's promise to community health volunteers a mere populist statement?

Each promoter is responsible for 100 households and under the program they should be equipped with modern medical equipment among them the kits.

However, two months down the line, it is a different script for Nakuru Community Health Promoters who say they only see the kits on TV.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu, the CHPs drawn from Nakuru East and Nakuru West Sub counties reveal that in other counties the kits have been distributed but no single CHP in Nakuru has received them.

Jane* from Rhonda says they have only received a smart phone for data collection.

She however points out that the kits would be of help to them and even make their work easier.

"The county only gave us smartphones but we need the kits like that we see in other counties," she said.

Sentiments echoed by Francis Shinali who says the county should prioritize the matter.

He also points out that the stipend issue should be re-looked at as some CHPs are yet to receive any stipend despite the promises made.

According to him, this has to do with the systems adding that even the monthly Sh 2,000 has some bank transaction deductions of Sh 76 leaving them with only Sh 1,924.

"Why should the bank deduct a whole Sh 76? I think in this era of mobile money transactions then the government should think of such instead of the money going through banks and deductions made," he says.

When contacted over the matter of lack of kits for CHPs, an officer from Nakuru County Health Department who spoke on condition of anonymity for she is not allowed to speak to press admitted that indeed the kits were yet to be distributed.

Related: Inside the life of a community doctor

The officer reveals that the reason for the delay in distribution of the kits was to allow conclusion of the ongoing training for CHPs.

It will be recalled that in his Madaraka Day speech this year as well as Mashujaa Day, President William Ruto announced plans to ensure the country attains Universal Health Coverage.

pmambili@gmail.com

Why health promoters in Nakuru are yet to receive medical kits

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Pristone Mambili