Pomp, colour, jubilation, commendations and numerous anniversary wishes marked the CHS fifth anniversary celebrations, which took place at the Sarova Stanley Hotel on November 5, 2015. At the event that also saw the launch of the second Strategic Plan 2016-2020, CHS demonstrated that local organisations can successfully implement sustainable programs through ded
ication, accountability and innovation.
Present at the event were representatives from national and county governments, PEPFAR partner representatives from CDC and USAID, CHS business and implementation partners, program beneficiaries, members of the CHS board, as well as CHS staff.
The CHS Five-Year Journey
Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Wekesa set the pace for the colourful occasion by taking participants through the CHS journey over the last five years. He shared some of the key results that CHS has achieved. “Through CHS efforts and in collaboration with our partners, we ensured that 1.5 million Kenyans had access to quality health services,” Dr Wekesa noted.
Dr Wekesa acknowledged that CHS achievements were made possible by the fruitful collaboration with donors (USAID and CDC), the Ministry of Health, stakeholders in health including the National AIDS & STI Control Programme (NASCOP) and the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Disease Program (NTLD Program), partners, staff and local communities. Dr Wekesa recognised CHS partners, who have been instrumental in the organisation’s commitment to promoting quality health services including: PATH, TangazoLetu, Safaricom, Kenya Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (KAPTLD), the Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Vision Garden Community Based Organisation among others.
Beneficiary Testimonies
Paul Njoroge, a CHS supported adolescent peer educator from Igegania Sub-County Hospital moved the audience with his testimony of his journey living with HIV. Njoroge, who to-date does not know how he contracted the virus, has learnt to accept his status and now provides inspiration to other youth living with HIV. “I am happy that I have helped many teenagers recover from self stigma and thus focus on building their lives without limitations,” Njoroge said. “I believe that HIV cannot kill you as long as you take your medication. HIV therefore should not limit an individual’s capabilities,” said an enthusiastic Njoroge. This is an example of how CHS efforts in adherence and psychosocial support are impacting clients at community level. Njoroge noted that CHS has played a great role in ensuring that he lives positively, takes his medication and has the right knowledge to help other adolescents cope with HIV.
Dr Nelson Mureu, Acting Director of Medical Services, Nyeri County and Dr David Njoroge, Chief Executive Officer of Health, Laikipia County, spoke on behalf of CHS supported counties in Central Kenya. They both emphasised the pivotal role of CHS in promoting health service delivery in the counties, with particular emphasis on infrastructure, equipment and human resource support as well as health systems strengthening. “CHS has worked in enhancing and promoting HIV/AIDS indicators in Nyeri through complementing service delivery efforts in the county,” said Dr Mureu.
“Among the gains we have witnessed as the Laikipia County Government is the excellent HIV care and treatment support that we receive from CHS. This support has enabled us to approach elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) levels at Nyahururu District Hospital,” said Dr Njoroge. He noted that all the children born to HIV positive mothers at the hospital between 2013 and 2014 are HIV-free, with the support of CHS.
Launch of Strategic Plan 2016 – 2020
The launch of the new CHS strategic plan was a major highlight of the event. The new strategic plan details the CHS road map over the next five years. The plan seeks to deliver universal access to health interventions through six strategic goals:
Strategic Goal 1: Healthy Communities through Partnerships that Strengthen Health Systems
Strategic Goal 2: Increase Visibility and Strategic Partnerships
Strategic Goal 3: New Business Development
Strategic Goal 4: Growing People
Strategic Goal 5: From Research to Action
Strategic Goal 6: Resource Management and Operational Efficiency
“Through the new strategic plan, CHS rededicates itself to service delivery, good stewardship, contribution to the economy and most importantly, living our vision of healthy families through universal access to health interventions and services,” said Dr Wekesa.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of Medical Services, Dr Jackson Kioko, Head of Preventive and Promotive Health at the Ministry of Health noted that CHS has demonstrated continued commitment to its mandate, witnessed through more strengthened health systems that meet the needs of the people. He recognised the role of CHS in supporting national efforts and in particular noted that CHS supported facilities in Central Kenya played a significant role in elevating national PMTCT targets as indicated by facility level data.
“We at the national government have enjoyed the rich working relationship with CHS, and we can truly say that they are a preferred partner for health solutions,” said Dr Kioko. He acknowledged that CHS is playing a vital role at a time when Kenya is focused on TB control, with its commitment contributing immensely to a great partnership with the national government. He recognised CHS for its role in the development of the National TB strategic plan and active participation in the Stop TB Partnership.
“Happy birthday CHS and we wish you a thousand and thousand more years to come!”
Dr David Njoroge, CEC Health, Laikipia County