Promoted access to healthcare services at community levels

This was achieved through communication, information and awareness campaigns, community mobilization and advocacy to address social cultural barriers hindering access to Maternal, Newborn and Child health (MNCH) and Prevention of Mother to Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) services.

Support for establishment of community health units, capacity development of community of health volunteers (CHVs) including facilitating their home visits and linking clients to health facilities was provided. As a result there has been an increase in demand for MNCH and PMTCT services leading to increased number of ANC visits, facility deliveries, and children immunized, adherence to ART and reduced number of children born with HIV. There has also been increased uptake of family planning services which has led to reduced cases of unwanted pregnancies and HIV infections. Target regions for community health services were Mazeras and Kafuduni Community Health Units of Kinango Sub County in Kwale County and Malindi and Kilifi North sub counties of Kilifi County in the Coast Region of Kenya.

This is by enabling individuals and CSOs in target communities to acquire knowledge and skills for social accountability. As a result there is an increase in number of individuals and CSOs participating in monitoring of health services delivery in local health facilities including developing community score cards, participating in development of facility level work plans, service charters and complaints re-address mechanisms. This has contributed to increased levels of consultations between community members, health care workers (HCWs) and County and sub County Health Management Teams (CHMTs) in target health facilities. This has contributed to an improved relationship between HCWs and community members; inclusion of community needs in facility level and County Integrated Development Plans and Annual Operational Plan (AOPs).