AMPATH Assists in Primary Health Care Network Strengthening
Functionality of Primary Health Care Networks (PCNs) is a key component for the Government of Kenya in achieving Universal Health Coverage. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) play a critical role in the realization of this agenda through use of the Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). This system is used by 107,000 CHPs in Kenya, who have registered 8.57 million households and offered post registration services to 7.33 million households in the country.
Each CHP receives a kit that consists of a backpack carrier bag, a first aid box and a jacket for visibility in the community. It also contains a weighing scale, an infrared clinical thermometer, tape measure for children and a mid-upper arm circumference tape measure for adults, supplies for minor wounds and infection prevention, and blood pressure machine to identify cases of diabetes and high blood pressure for referral.
Deployment of eCHIS and the kits was quick with a short training duration. The need for additional training and supervision from health facility managers was identified.
In December 2024, AMPATH’s health financing department conducted a Community Health Services meeting in Webuye sub-county in Bungoma County to review data and build capacity on eCHIS. Participants included Community Health Assistants (CHAs) who are the supervisors of CHPs in 37 Community Health Units, 17 health facility “in-charges” and the sub-county health management team. During this meeting, facility managers interacted with eCHIS for the first time. They agreed to hold monthly meetings with CHPs and place them on a rotational facility service to aid in mentorship. This will enhance data quality, service delivery and identification of pregnant mothers and sick children for referral to the facilities.
A sequel to the December meeting in Webuye sub-county involved completing the establishment of the Webuye West PCN in January 2025. The weeklong session involved training of health facility managers on the functionality and role in PCNs, Social Health Authority (SHA) information and creation of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to govern the PCN. MDTs are the mechanism for organizing and coordinating health care services to meet the needs of the community. The team brings together the expertise and skills of different professionals to assess, plan, and manage health care jointly. The MDT is dynamic and should be composed of a care and support team that matches patient health needs and catchment population.
''We are committed to ensure the functionality of Webuye West PCN and are very grateful to AMPATH for the support provided to complete the establishment process. This exercise has equipped facility managers to meaningfully engage CHPs and eCHIS functionality,'' said Tobias Makunja, Community Health Services Coordinator for Bungoma County.
The Bungoma SHA office was also involved in the training to provide guidance to health facility mangers who had reported challenges on transacting using the SHA provider portal. During this session, all facilities were assisted to sign their e-contracts with SHA to enable reimbursements for services provided. All facilities who had login problems to the portal were also guided and could proceed to serve patients using the system.
''We look forward to the actualization of the PCN concept, especially for the referral services to enhance coordination between facilities and also identification of cases in the community which is currently a challenge,'' added the facility in-charge for the Milo Health Centre.