Health Volunteers Conduct Door-to-Door Wellness Checks

Community Health Promoters (CHPs), formerly known as Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), are playing an increasingly vital role in Kenya’s primary healthcare system by conducting regular door‑to‑door wellness checks. In Kirinyaga County, Governor Anne Waiguru recently flagged off 1,205 CHPs, providing them with medical kits — including BP machines, blood sugar monitors, thermometers, and tablets — to enable them to assess and record the health status of about 100 households each.
During their home visits, CHPs check on vital health indicators like blood pressure and blood sugar, weigh children and adults, and use simple diagnostic tools to detect early signs of illness. In the process, they also offer health education on nutrition, disease prevention, hygiene, and water safety, and refer individuals with abnormal readings or serious conditions to the nearest health facility.
A particularly inspiring example comes from Isiolo County, where over 500 CHVs have been equipped with medical kits by Catholic Relief Services (CRS). These volunteers work in remote areas where formal health services are sparse: they not only promote healthy behaviors, but also administer first-line treatments for illnesses, helping reduce patient load at distant health facilities.
For some, visiting homes is a deeply personal commitment. In Kibra (Nairobi), community health volunteer Angela Nzilani, who is visually impaired, cares for over 100 households in her area. She visits regularly, checks patients’ health, gives advice, and ensures those in need are referred for further treatment. Her work highlights how CHVs bridge critical gaps — especially in hard-to-reach or marginalized communities.