This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On July 16, 2020, the Kenyan government took a significant step in its fight against COVID-19 by engaging over 3,000 community healthcare volunteers to help manage cases.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that 31,780 volunteers had been listed as part of measures to ensure 100% Universal Health Coverage.
The volunteers are undergoing training before being deployed to various counties to manage home-based patients of COVID-19.
According to Kagwe, the engagement of community healthcare volunteers is part of the government's efforts to ensure full coverage of community health services in the country, which will support home-based isolation and care for COVID-19 patients and the achievement of Universal Health Care.
Speaking after touring health facilities in Nakuru County, Kagwe said that the government's Primary Health Care Strategic Plan for the financial year 2021-2024 has addressed recruitment and training issues.
As of July 16, 2020, the country had recorded 11,673 cases of COVID-19, with 421 new cases reported from a sample of 3,895 analyzed on Wednesday.
Fatalities also rose to 217 after 8 more patients succumbed to the virus.
