2015 Family Planning Preconference Samuel Mwenda

“Promoting Access to quality healthcare”

www.chak.or.ke


Presentation outline • Introduction to CHAK • Kenya context • CHAK FP program strategies • CHAK engagement of Religious Leaders

for Family Planning • Achievement and lessons learnt

Christian Health Association of Kenya


Introduction to CHAK

Foundation, identity, vision & mission, purpose, governance and

programs



Our foundation Revelation 22:1-2 “..the River of the water of Life…flowing from the throne of God ….down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the River stood the tree of life bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations” Christian Health Association

of Kenya

“Promoting Access to quality healthcare” Christian Health Association of Kenya

Identity, members & partners Identity - CHAK is a national Faith Based

Organization of the Protestant Churches’ health facilities and programs from all over Kenya that was registered in 1946.

Our members: We serve our members (Hospitals, Health Centres, Dispensaries, CBHC, Churches, MTCs) and Communities

Partnerships – we work in partnership with MOH, County Health Departments, Development partners, KCCB-Health Commission, MEDS, UN Agencies, NGOs, other CHAs, Private Sector, Communities


Purpose • The purpose of CHAK is to facilitate

member health facilities to deliver accessible, comprehensive, quality health services to Kenyans in accordance with Christian values and professional ethics guided by the national health sector policies.

• Our activities and programs are guided by a six year Strategic Plan 2011-2016 whose goal is “To promote universal access to quality health care”



Total Membership = 576

24 Hospitals 57 Health Centers 387 Dispensaries 65 Churches/church

organizations 27 CBHC

programmes 16 Medical Training

Colleges & Universities

www.chak.or.ke


Governance structure involves Church Leaders

• Meets annually in April • Top policy organ that includes all member

Churches and member health facilities, Trustees & EXCO

AGM

• Six senior Church Leaders from member churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, SDA, AIC, AGC)

• Registered with the Registrar of Societies TRUSTEES

• Board of CHAK • 8 members elected by the AGM • Chairman is a senior National Church Leader • Treasurer has financial background • RCCs are regional structures for networking & advocacy &

include Church Leaders

EXCO/Board RCCs

• Charged with the day-to-day implementation of Strategic Plan and Projects

• Has 3 Departments under the leadership of the General Secretary. Three support units of M&E, HR, ICT & Audit

SECRETARIAT


CHAK Health Programs



Health programs • HIV&AIDS • MNCH and Malaria • Tuberculosis (TB) • Reproductive Health & Family

Planning • Medical Education • Diabetes prevention & management • Hypertension screening & management • Health Systems Strengthening



Central role of Religion & Faith in Church Health Services


We engage Church Leaders, CHWs in congregations and Church Groups to educate, mobilize and create linkages & referral to Health Facilities for services


Kenya context • TFR – 3.9 KDHS 2014 – down from 4.6 in 2009.

(Disparities:- 5 counties have 6.1 – 7.8: 22 counties 4.1-6

• Unmet need for family planning - 23%. (KDHS 2014).

• CPR -58% (KDHS 2014)

• IMR-39/1,000 live births • Under fives MR – 52/1,000 live births • MMR – 400/100,000 live births (WHO 2013)

• 61% - deliveries in hospitals • However there are major disparities in these

indicators across the 47 counties



Goal in RH/FP programs Goal CHAK shares the MOH goal of increasing equitable access, improve quality, efficiency and effectiveness in RH for all Kenyans to enhance good health outcomes.

Objectives • Reduce unmet need for FP • Increase demand, access, availability and utilization of

integrated RH/FP services within the community

Christian Health Association

of Kenya


CHAK FP promotion strategies • Capacity building of health facility and community based

providers of FP services to improve knowledge, skills, and attitudes for enhanced performance and quality in the provision of RH/FP services.

• Sensitization of Religious Leaders on RH/FP and equipping them to play the role of champions

• Community mobilization for RH/FP through community engagement, awareness creation through IEC materials and outreach services

• Improve linkages and referral system from community to health facilities

• Advocacy for improved commodity security from MOH and the County Health Departments.



Receiving some technical support and lessons from other countries at the community



Reality about Religious Leaders and Religious Institutions

• They are diverse with varying levels of capacity • They have different levels of complexity in decision

making • Can be slow in embracing change in their values, beliefs

and practices • Are at different levels of knowledge, acceptance,

utilization and promotion of family health & FP • Are sometimes perceived as barriers to RH/FP • However they present a great opportunity for the

sustainable scale up of any public health programs particularly in Africa



Why Religious Leaders engagement is important

• They command respect and trust in the communities • They have a captive audience every week • They are deeply committed to the well being of the

individual and family : spiritual and physical • They are accepted to have a prophetic voice in

challenging oppressive and retrogressive culture and practices in society

• They have interest and need for capacity building and equipping in health issues

• When empowered they can become champions in the community



CHW giving women orientation on use of Cycle Beads



Example of successful Religious Leaders engagement

• Baseline survey had indicated low uptake of FP in the faith based facilities

• 48 HCW trained on contraceptive method mix • 210 Religious Leaders trained and engaged in

giving FP health messages. • A total of 12,352 people received with FP

messages by Religious Leaders • 1438 clients referred to health facilities for FP

methods



Trends of improving Indicators


Engaging men for increasing FP uptake



What has worked for CHAK • Begin by Building trust by identifying common

ground • Engage in continuous dialogue – appreciate

where they are at and their issues and needs • Empower through appropriate capacity

building • Provide appropriate tools and IEC materials

to support their communication • Involve them and maintain engagement for

motivation and support • Recognize and appreciate their efforts



Thank you

Asante


Health & Medicine

2015 Family Planning Preconference Samuel Mwenda