Members of the National Assembly have debated a Bill that seeks legal recognition and support for Community Health Workers.
Sponsored by Ndhiwa MP Martin Peters Owino, the Community Health Workers Bill, National Assembly Bill No 53 of 2022, seeks to establish a legal framework for the acknowledgment of community health services. Additionally, it aims to extend the government payroll to encompass community health providers presently volunteering without pay.
The Bill also seeks the establishment of the Community Health Workers Council of Kenya to regulate the workers.
In the Bill, Owino notes that community health workers play a crucial role in healthcare at the grassroots level of our communities despite not receiving the proper recognition and assistance that they need.
The Ndhiwa legislator while addressing the House also pointed out that healthcare is particularly challenging in rural areas and, therefore, warrants specific focus and consideration.
“Community Health Workers are very important as they work directly with the community. The Community health worker knows the homesteads in the area he or she lives in and is familiar with the language of the people and the challenges facing the society,” states Owino.
He further argues, “It is therefore important to develop a framework for their recognition and regulation so that they are entrenched in the government like other professionals.”
Seconding the Bill, Seme MP, Dr. James Nyikal stated, “All over the world it is being realized that people in the community have a big part to play in healthcare, for example, traditional midwives have been helping women babies from their homes for years. This is the same with the many others who are informed on health matters and ways of avoiding disease.”
“It is therefore vital for us to strengthen and capacitate these community health workers. It is important to remember that people get sick at home with the social determinants behind sickness being found in the communities,” added Nyikal.
Sotik MP, Francis Sigei acknowledged and applauded the role that Community Health Workers play in Society.
“Hon Speaker, these Health Workers are part of the backbone of our society hence why I call them Health Warriors. They are responsible for making our nation healthy and productive. Without them there to help combat diseases in our communities we would fail”, remarked Sigei.
Marsabit County MP, Naomi Waqo called on the government to carry out frequent training and develop a curriculum that would be used to carry out the training countrywide.
“While the qualifications for these Community Health Workers are clearly defined in the Bill, we must make sure that these Health workers consistently receive the requisite training to ensure that they are always relevant to every new challenge that faces our communities,” said Waqo.
She further called for the distribution of the Community Health Workers Council offices across the country to enhance the nationwide availability of services.
