Lodwar – December 17, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Government, in collaboration with development partners, continues to strengthen community-based health service delivery through the Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) and Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) programs bringing life-saving care closer to families in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.

During the 9th Edition of the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival – Tobong’u Lore, two Community Health Promoters (CHPs) shared first-hand experiences highlighting the impact of iCCM and IMAM at household level.

Eyanae Lilian Longole, a 24-year-old mother of one, serves as a CHP in Nabei Community Unit, Turkana Central Sub-County, where she supports 57 households with a total population of 368 people. She has served the community for three years.

“My daily role as a Community Health Promoter includes identifying common childhood illnesses, treating uncomplicated cases, and making timely referrals for severe or persistent conditions that require advanced medical attention,” says Eyanae.

Her work focuses on bridging communities with the formal health system, with emphasis on preventive care, health education, early diagnosis, and referral. She routinely educates households on hygiene, nutrition, disease prevention, maternal and child health, and timely use of health facilities.

“In Nabei, cough is one of the most common illnesses affecting children. I also encounter cases of diarrhoea and malnutrition,” she explains. “Often, mothers tell me their children develop coughs frequently, especially during my routine household visits,”

Through iCCM, CHPs are equipped with tools, commodities, and skills to assess and manage childhood illnesses at community level.

“I can confidently test and treat malaria because we are supplied with testing kits and medicines,” Eyanae explains. “I also manage diarrhoea using ORS and zinc, treat coughs, and screen for moderate acute malnutrition. Severe cases are referred immediately.”

She adds that referrals are documented using MOH 100 forms, which support continuity of care at health facilities.

“Once I identify a sick child, I conduct an assessment using my tools, then decide whether to treat or refer to a facility,” she says.

Eyanae recalls a critical case that underscores the importance of community-based care.

“One night around 11:00 pm, I received a call about a severely sick child in my village. The child was extremely dehydrated and wasted,” she narrates. “I made an immediate referral, and we rushed the child to Kanamkemer Sub-County Hospital, where the child was admitted for four days.”

“At that moment, I feared the child might not survive. But with timely intervention, the child recovered and returned home in good health.

Through consistent follow-up and trust-building, Eyanae has observed a significant reduction in defaulter cases under IMAM.

“Unlike before, we now have very few defaulters because of routine household visits,” she says. “I know my community so well that I can identify children who need follow-up almost from memory.”

She notes a positive shift in community attitudes toward Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs).

“Previously, some caregivers would sell RUTFs. Today, mothers understand their importance. Where misuse occurs, I personally ensure the child consumes the therapeutic food as prescribed.”

In Loima Sub-County, Esther Akuwom, a 25-year-old CHP serving 56 households in Lokoyo Community Unit, highlights malaria as the leading childhood illness.

“Malaria is common in Lokoyo and across Loima. We also see cases of fever, cough, and malnutrition,” she says.

Through regular household visits, Akuwom educates families on malaria prevention, use of treated mosquito nets, early care-seeking, and household hygiene and sanitation.

“I have been trained to treat malaria, fever lasting seven days and below, coughs, and diarrhoea. Severe cases are referred to health facilities,” she explains.

Both CHPs attribute their success to strong community trust. “Over time, I have become one of the most trusted people in my community on health matters,” Eyanae says. “I am often the first contact, even before families go to a health facility,”

“The community chose me, and their trust keeps me going. I am their daughter, a mother, and part of this community. I would never want a child to suffer from a preventable disease.

The County Government, working with partners, has invested in strengthening the Community Health Strategy.

The CHPs have been trained by the County Government in partnership with Save the Children International, implemented through Turkana Christian Development Mission (TCDM), on iCCM, IMAM, hygiene and sanitation, maternal and child health, infant and young child feeding, and breastfeeding.

The County Government has provided equipment, tools, uniforms, and monthly stipends, with routine supervision conducted by Community Health Assistants (CHAs).

Despite progress, challenges remain, including long distances between households, daytime absences due to livelihood activities, and intermittent shortages of nutrition commodities.

However, optimism remains high following the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Kenya and the U.S, which is expected to stabilize supply chains and strengthen continuity of iCCM and IMAM services.

Through sustained county leadership and partner collaboration, Community Health Promoters continue to play a critical role in reducing preventable childhood illnesses, improving nutrition outcomes, and saving lives, one household at a time.