Expanding Access to Health in Kirinyaga: Afya Reach Pioneers NCD Screening through Primary Care Network
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Kirinyaga County stands as a model in Kenya’s ongoing healthcare transformation efforts, particularly in its effective establishment of the Primary Care Networks (PCN) for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It also stands out since one of our implementing partners, Afya Reach Limited has continued to make strides, by successfully implementing a comprehensive non-communicable diseases (NCDs) screening program, launched by Kirinyaga County leadership. Afya Reach Limited is a social impact organization established in 2019. Dedicated to sustainable health initiatives, Afya Reach Limited aims to increase access to essential health services, particularly in underserved regions. Through the Johnson & Johnson Foundation funding, the NCD screening program is designed to address rising diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, providing early detection services critical to preventing severe health outcomes and reducing overall treatment costs.
According to Kenya’s Ministry of Health’s website, PCNs are a sound approach towards the effective implementation of the Kenya Primary Health Care Strategic Framework 2019-2024. This accomplishment is central to the Kenya Kwanza government’s ambitious Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes equitable access to health services for all citizens.
The Primary Care Network in Kirinyaga, one of the most effective in the country, allows residents to access these vital screenings done by trained volunteers referred to as Community Health Promoters (CHPs) at the community level, which enhances accessibility, especially for those in remote areas. The CHPs then enter the crucial data in devices provided by the government through the Ministry of Health-Kenya and refer those patients to their nearest facility, thus beginning their journey through the health system funnel, known as the Primary Care Network By focusing on NCD prevention and early detection, Afya Reach, in collaboration with local health authorities, is laying the groundwork for healthier communities and contributing significantly to UHC’s goals in Kenya.
On May 21, 2023, the NMA team travelled down to Kirinyaga town and had a fruitful engagement with members of Kirinyaga County’s Health Team (CHT) and representatives from Afya Reach Limited. The meeting provided our team with an opportunity to hear about the highs and pitfalls experienced by the team during the genesis of the establishment of their PCN. Here are some photographs from that engagement.
Kirinyaga’s success showcases the power of partnerships and the effectiveness of a structured primary care network in bringing healthcare closer to the people. Through continued efforts, Kenya is steadily moving closer to realizing the promise of universal healthcare, with Kirinyaga leading the way as an example of what is possible.
