Odumo pledges to champion community health promoters' welfare

Lawyer and Kisumu senatorial aspirant Fred Odumo. Faith Matete

Lawyer and Kisumu senatorial aspirant Fred Odumo has pledged to champion the welfare of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), saying they remain the backbone of Kenya's primary healthcare system despite facing poor remuneration and limited support.

Speaking at Kotetni AIC Church during a meeting attended by more than 200 Community Health Promoters from Kisumu West Constituency, Odumo acknowledged the challenges the volunteers encounter as they deliver essential health services at the household level.

He said CHPs play a vital role in promoting preventive healthcare, conducting household visits, educating families on disease prevention, supporting immunisation programmes, monitoring maternal and child health, and linking patients to health facilities.

According to Odumo, investing in and adequately equipping Community Health Promoters would significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in Kisumu County by improving early disease detection, enhancing disease surveillance, reducing maternal and child deaths, and ensuring more residents access quality healthcare services.

"Community Health Promoters are the first point of contact for many families. They deserve better support because they are helping to keep our communities healthy," he said.

Odumo noted that while the Health Act, 2017, and the Primary Health Care Act, 2023, formally recognize Community Health Promoters as an integral part of Kenya's primary healthcare system, concerns over their welfare, remuneration, and employment benefits remain unresolved.

He said these issues should be comprehensively addressed through the Community Health Providers Bill, which is currently pending before the Senate.

The lawyer pledged that, if elected Senator, he would work with fellow legislators to ensure the Bill is passed and that it provides fair remuneration, better working conditions, and adequate benefits for Community Health Promoters across the country.

He further promised to remain a strong advocate for improved funding of community health services, saying stronger community healthcare would reduce pressure on hospitals by preventing illnesses before they become severe.

Responding to requests made by the Community Health Promoters during the meeting, Odumo also pledged to purchase 100-seater tents and provide uniforms to support their outreach activities across Kisumu.

The CHPs said the equipment would ease the organization of community health campaigns and public awareness programmes while improving their visibility and identity during field activities.