KENYA: Access to health care for rural and marginalized communities
Kenya faces enormous health challenges, including a devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic and a high rate of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. With limited access to health care due to severe poverty, poor roads and understaffed health facilities, providing comprehensive and equitable health care services remains a challenge.
Since 2004, HealthRight has focused efforts on the economically and geographically isolated communities of Kenya’s Northern Rift Valley. HealthRight is partnering with Kenyan health providers and local communities to respond to three areas of critical need: HIV/AIDS, malaria and maternal and neonatal health. HealthRight has successfully implemented programs to improve health outcomes for mothers and infants, build access to malaria prevention and treatment and create care and support services for over 1,700 people living with HIV in five districts of Kenya.
HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment, and Care
The construction of three comprehensive HIV/AIDS clinics in combination with providing training to health providers and community health workers have built local capacity to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. HealthRight has contributed to an increase in the number of HIV-positive patients who have been enrolled in care and treatment at hospital-based and semi-mobile clinics.
Partnership for Maternal and Neonatal Health
HealthRight trains Community Health Workers to raise awareness about women’s health topics and increase appropriate utilization of health facilities.
Comprehensive and long-term solutions
By building infrastructure, strengthening the capacity of health workers, educating community members, and collaborating with community leaders and local organizations, HealthRight is laying the foundation for comprehensive and sustainable health care solutions.
HealthRight International was known as Doctors of the World-USA from 1990 to 2009.