Nairobi: For the first time, the Turkana County Government has inaugurated a 10-member County Community Health Services (CHS) Committee, establishing a county-level platform for community health governance. This institution is tasked with governance and oversight, policy and legal alignment, performance monitoring, resource mobilization, capacity building, and accountability of CHS functions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the inauguration ceremony was led by Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus and County Executive Committee Member Dr. Epem Joseph Esekon, alongside Chief Officers Janerose Tioko and Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel. This significant development reflects Turkana's commitment to strengthening community health services, following the 2008 establishment of a national CHS unit by the Ministry of Health, which later became a Division in 2019.
Dr. Erus emphasized the importance of the committee, stating that their appointment showcases the County Government's trust in their oversight capabilities. He highlighted the county's challenges with preventable diseases, particularly among young people, and the necessity of serious investment in health systems.
Dr. Epem Joseph Esekon noted that Community Health Promoters (CHPs) are vital in early disease detection and prevention, ensuring accountability and effective basic care provision. Dr. Lokoel underlined the need for investment in community health services and strategic partnerships to achieve universal health coverage, emphasizing the committee's role in addressing health system irregularities.
Janerose Tioko stressed the importance of collaboration across the health sector, with CHPs playing a crucial role in enhancing community-level services to improve preventive health outcomes. Dr. Joseph Lolepo, Director of Community Health Services, highlighted the committee's role in advancing Turkana's health agenda by promoting health-seeking behavior and strengthening health facility referrals.
Further, Dr. Erus pointed out the county's political will and investment in sustainable health service delivery, while Esekon assured that the committee would address past budget gaps impacting CHPs. Bethwel Kobongin, Chair of the Health Committee, and Patrick Napion, Chairperson of the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, both reiterated their commitment to ensuring essential health services and resource availability.
Dr. Epem emphasized the comprehensive reach of the health team across the county, advocating for the adoption of the CHP model to collect real-time data and effect change. The County CHS unit comprises a director, deputy director, 2,671 CHPs, 256 community health units, and 256 community health assistants, supported by 12 sub-county CHS Focal Persons. Dr. Erus concluded the ceremony by issuing certificates to the committee members as they prepared to assume their duties.