By Lorraine Anyango
The ongoing Lake Region Digital Health conference has underscored the critical role of technology in transforming healthcare delivery in the region. Participants emphasized the need to integrate digitally inclined staff into county health departments to accelerate the digital health agenda.
A key focus of the conference was the potential of localizing digital health innovations and manufacturing solutions. This would not only create jobs for the youth but also ensure that these solutions are tailored to the specific needs of the region.
Delegates highlighted the importance of county health departments playing a more active role in maintaining and repairing digital health tools provided by the National Government. This would ensure uninterrupted implementation of the digital health agenda.
“Counties must allocate sufficient budgets to sustain digital health initiatives,” emphasized Ms. Joan Oracha, Chief of Party Living Goods. The organization has supported the County Health Department for five years, and as their involvement winds down, a continuity plan is essential.
The conference also addressed the remuneration of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), who are crucial in advancing digital health. A panel led by Prof. Kharma Rogo, a PharmAcess Global advisor, discussed the need for fair compensation to incentivize CHPs.
Absenteeism among CHPs was identified as a significant challenge in healthcare delivery. Living Goods advocated for the integration of a performance management tool into the digital platforms used by CHPs to address this issue.
Training CHPs on how to effectively use the digital tools provided is another essential step. The conference recommended incorporating training modules into the digital gadgets used by CHPs.
“We must prioritize the dignity of community health services, which includes fair remuneration,” said one participant. While counties currently pay CHPs a standard rate of Ksh 2,500, a more dignified wage is estimated to be around Ksh 13,000. The two-day conference was officially opened by the Governor of Kisumu, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyongo. He praised Living Goods for its efforts in digitizing community health in Kisumu, noting that the county is now able to conduct household visits and identify individuals in need of referrals more efficiently. The conference hosted at Ciala Resort, Kisumu, was also graced by Joris Van Bommel, Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Yvette van Eechoud, Vice Minister for International Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, Prof. Khama Rogo Head of the Presidential Taskforce on Addressing Human Resources for Health and many other partners with us.
