CHWs key in fight against Covid-19

When a child shows malaria-like symptoms at night in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, a mother is likely to first inform a community health worker (CHW) or a community health volunteer before going to the nearest health facility. When a mother in Kawangware wants to improve their child’s diet, they are likely to turn to a community health volunteer. And when Government wants to immunise every child across the country against diseases, it is community health workers they turn to because they know every household.

Whenever a health crisis hits communities, community health workers and volunteers are on the frontlines in Kenya’s hardest-to-reach communities. As Covid-19 spreads across Kenya and Africa in general, these brave, down-to-earth and hard-working men and women will remain the people communities rely on to remain healthy.