Community Health Promoters (CHPs) have played a significant role in improving immunization rates in Kenya’s remote areas, particularly among nomadic communities in regions like Wajir County. These communities, often on the move with their livestock in search of pasture and water, have long faced challenges in accessing essential healthcare services, including vaccinations for their children. The nomadic lifestyle, coupled with long distances to the nearest health facilities, meant that many children missed crucial immunization doses, leaving them vulnerable to infectious diseases.
One such example is Fahiya Farah, a mother of eight who recently settled in the Duhuma area of Wajir North Sub County after a long journey to find pasture for her livestock. She explains that due to their constant movement, her children had missed several immunization doses. However, soon after settling in Duhuma, a CHP named Ali Adan visited her family to monitor their health and ensure they were following the immunization schedule. Ali is part of a network of over 1,000 CHPs who have been trained to provide basic healthcare services, including immunization, to families in remote areas.
Ali’s visits have been instrumental in improving the health outcomes of nomadic families like Fahiya’s. Initially, many children in these areas were missed by immunization programs, with numerous defaulter cases each month. However, after six months of consistent visits and health education, the number of defaulters significantly decreased, and Ali aims to bring that number to zero. The CHPs are also involved in treating minor illnesses like diarrhea and pneumonia, which are common in these areas, and referring more serious cases to the nearest health facility.
Through the work of CHPs, immunization rates in Wajir have significantly improved. For example, at Malkagufu Dispensary, which serves a remote community, the number of children vaccinated has risen from 5-10 per month to 25-30. Nurses attribute this increase to the efforts of CHPs who visit families in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring that children are immunized on time. They also play a crucial role in educating the community about the importance of immunization, dispelling myths about vaccines, and encouraging more parents to vaccinate their children.
However, challenges remain. The harsh terrain and the mobility of the communities make it difficult for CHPs to track and visit all households. In some instances, CHPs have to travel long distances, often spending their own money to reach families. Despite these challenges, the community health workers continue to work tirelessly to ensure that even the most isolated families receive the healthcare services they need.
Save the Children has been instrumental in supporting the CHP initiative by training these workers and organizing health outreach services. They also use technology, such as the Electronic Community Health Information System (e-CHIS), to streamline data collection and track immunization progress in real time. This system has improved efficiency, allowing health teams to make more informed decisions based on up-to-date information.
In addition to immunization, CHPs also focus on other aspects of public health, such as sanitation and nutrition. They monitor the nutritional status of children, using tools like the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) to screen for malnutrition. By identifying health risks early, CHPs can take preventive measures and refer families to health facilities when necessary.
Despite the many challenges, CHPs have proven to be an invaluable resource in promoting health and immunization in Kenya’s remote areas. Their dedication, combined with the support of organizations like Save the Children, has led to a remarkable increase in immunization uptake and improved health outcomes for many children in nomadic communities.
