LVCT Health recently hosted six Liverpool change-maker pairs for an immersive shared learning experience in Homa Bay, Kenya.
The week-long visit marked the continuation of a collaboration that began with an earlier exchange in Liverpool in May, where Kenyan health professionals gained insights on implementation of Primary Health Care Networks (PCN) model from their UK counterparts.
Kenya through the Ministry of Health is currently scaling up and improving the delivery of primary health care services through the establishment of PCNs at the community facilities and health centres, all interconnected to form a comprehensive network aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The change-maker pairs, comprising professionals from Liverpool and Homa Bay, include individuals who work in various roles, ranging from senior public health policymaking in local government to frontline community health and youth advocates.
“We are delighted to host this team and provide them with the opportunity to witness firsthand how community health programs in Kenya are making a positive impact particularly in resource-constrained settings,” said Dr. Lilian Otiso, Executive Director of LVCT Health. “By pairing them with their counterparts, this exchange fosters collaborative relationships and utilizes the experience of each participant to enhance health care delivery”.
During their stay, the team visited various health facilities and households in Homa Bay’s rural communities, gaining firsthand experience on the implementation of community health initiatives. This immersive approach allowed them to observe the challenges and successes faced by local health workers, while also identifying strategies to build healthy and equitable communities in their respective contexts.
Homa Bay County has demonstrated a strong commitment to community health, with over 3,000 community health promoters dedicated to addressing local health challenges.
Hon. Roselyn Omollo. CEC Member for Health, in Homa Bay County, emphasized the significance of the insights gained from the Liverpool visit, noting that the integration of community health into the primary health care model currently being rolled out in the country is crucial for delivering quality services and enhancing coordination between community health promoters and facility-based health workers.
“Without community health promoters, there is no health,” stated Dr. Salim Hussein, Head of the Primary Health Care Department at the Ministry of Health, Kenya. “As a government, we deeply appreciate the essential role CHPs play in advancing healthcare delivery in our communities.”
In addition to field visits, the change-maker pairs participated in a World Café session with Work Improvement Teams (WITs). This interactive dialogue encouraged collaboration and allowed participants to share innovative ideas and best practices, highlighting the importance of integrating primary health care and community health strategies for resilient health systems.
LVCT Health’s initiatives were prominently featured during the exchange, showcasing various health interventions, including the youth-friendly one2one™ digital platform. This platform offers comprehensive information on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and mental health, empowering young people to take charge of their wellbeing.
The exchange visit, part of the UKAid-funded THET (Tropical Health and Education Trust) Global Health Workforce Programme, aims to foster international partnerships between local government teams working within the community and primary healthcare networks. Through shared learning and collaboration, the programme will help the changemaker pairs develop innovative workforce strategies in primary care and community health, and in turn address health equity challenges in their respective contexts.
“I am truly grateful for this opportunity to learn from the Homa Bay team and share my experiences,” said Dagmara Wojciechowicz, Manager of Merseyside Polonia. “As part of a CIT, I have been working with key local partners to tackle health inequalities in our communities. This learning exchange has been transformative for me, and I am excited to bring back new insights and strategies to my work in Liverpool.”