Counties

Kisumu to pay community health workers in UHC trial

kisumu

Kisumu County assembly. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Kisumu County will hire 2,500 community health workers for six months to boost ongoing trial of the State’s universal health coverage launched four months ago.

The health workers will be paid a Sh3,000 monthly from the Sh45 million budget that Kisumu has set aside, said Dr George Rae, Kisumu Governor’s advisor on Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The community health workers, available at designated units across the county are a special cog in healthcare, handling preventive, promotional and rehabilitation care in villages.

“In Kisumu community health workers form the largest single health work force and have been delivering services pro- bono,” said Dr Rae in a statement. “It’s a major land mark in history that Kisumu will unlock the door of non -payment to this faithful and dedicated workers.”

The county has also developed a curriculum for the community health workers. A total of Sh16 million will be released to the community health workers today as Governor Anyang Nyong’o launches the service at Angola hospital in Kisumu East Sub-county.

Angola health centre, is an integrated development program where practical skills and knowledge are offered to the community, especially the vulnerable groups.