The poor state of health systems in many parts of the developing world is one of the greatest barriers to increasing access to essential health care services.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a health system as all the organizations, institutions, resources and people whose primary purpose is to improve health.
Strengthening health systems means addressing key constraints related to health worker staffing, infrastructure, health commodities (such as equipment and medicine), logistics, tracking progress and effective financing.
Kenya’s public health system has seen significant changes and progress aimed at improving the health of Kenyans through partnership with private, not-for-profit and development partners as set out in the Second National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP II).
Hinged on the objectives of the NHSSP II and specifically that of improving service quality and responsiveness (through ongoing maintenance of equipment and facilities), CHS has supported the repair of the Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) at Gatundu District Hospital in Kiambu County.
The newly repaired CCC will host a cumulative number of 2,776 enrolled clients with 1,582 of them active on care and treatment for HIV and TB with critical services offered at a data room, two consultation rooms, a pharmacy and a waiting/triage area.
Speaking on behalf of the CCC staff during the handover of the repaired facility, Nurse in Charge, Ms Faith Mwaura appreciated the support provided by CHS, a sentiment echoed by the facility’s Medical Superintendent Dr Jacob Toro, who indicated that sero prevalence of HIV in the area had come down from highs of 15% to slightly under 1% thanks to the partnership between the facility and CHS and activity predecessor ICAP.
With funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CHS has supported the repair of service delivery points across health facilities in Central Kenya addressing a key health systems strengthening constraint, infrastructure, to provide adequate space and privacy aimed at increasing the capacity of health institutions to provide improved care and treatment services.
