First National Community Systems Strengthening Forum: Community as Agents of Change in Improving Health Outcomes

Nairobi: July 4, 2023. The Inaugural Community Systems Strengthening (CSS) National Forum will bring together community players, civil society organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders nationwide to ignite a conversation and drive transformative change in the community healthcare systems strengthening. This event will serve as a platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving to address communities’ unique challenges in accessing quality healthcare. In addition, it will provide a platform for communities to learn from their peers. With the overarching theme of “Communities as agents of change in improving health outcomes”, the forum will focus on four key thematic areas: Community-led monitoring will explore accountability mechanisms designed, led, and implemented by local community organizations. These mechanisms, such as community-led monitoring (CLM), enable evidence-based recommendations to improve the accessibility, acceptability, affordability, and quality (AAAQ) of health programs and services.

Community-led research and advocacy will highlight interventions designed and led by community organizations, networks, and civil society actors to inform and support advocacy efforts. These initiatives aim to address health service quality, program financing, legal and policy reform, and human rights barriers affecting marginalized, criminalized, under-served, key, and vulnerable populations. Community capacity building and leadership development will showcase interventions that support the establishment, strengthening, and sustainability of community-led organisations in providing and improving health and other services related to HIV, TB, and malaria. Capacity building and leadership development strategies, including Organizational Development and Systems Strengthening (ODSS), are crucial in empowering key and vulnerable populations.

Community engagement, linkages, and coordination: Explore activities that create an interlinked and coordinated system of community-based and community-led programs and services. These initiatives aim to engage, inform, and deliver services to people in key, vulnerable, and underserved populations who are not benefiting from existing health programs. Social mobilisation and community involvement in decision-making processes regarding health services and policies are key aspects of this thematic area. The CSS National Forum will feature engaging keynote speeches, thought-provoking panel discussions,
interactive workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees will gain valuable insights, share experiences, and foster collaborations to shape the future of community healthcare in Kenya. The Chief Guest of the event is; Dr Waqo Ejersa – Ministry of Health, Head of Health Systems Strengthening

Other details are as follows:
Venue: Pride Inn Hotel Mlolongo
Dates: July 4- 6, 2023

Notes to the Editor:

Amref Health Africa is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 1957. Amref Health Africa’s vision is lasting health change in Africa. The organisation’s mission is to increase sustainable health access to communities in Africa through solutions in human resources for health, health service delivery, and investments in health. We believe that the power for lasting transformation of Africa’s health lies within its communities and works with individuals in communities to empower them to build the knowledge, skills and means to transform their health.

In Kenya, Amref Health Africa has operations in all 47 counties. Building on six decades of experience, working closely with communities, county and national governments, and other stakeholders, we provide a broad range of services to strengthen health systems. Anchored on the global strategy, Amref Kenya is embarking on a new strategic plan for 2023-2030, which sets a bold mission to transform the health of communities through Primary Health Care, through people-centred community-led primary healthcare systems and addressing social determinants of health. Amref also engages in programme development,
fundraising, partnership, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation. Amref has offices in Europe and North America and operates its subsidiaries: Amref Flying Doctors, Amref Health Enterprises, and Amref International University.

Press Contacts & RSVP:

1. Edna Mosiara
   Communications Officer
   Amref Health Africa in Kenya
   Edna.Mosiara@amref.org +254 704 410 095
2. Noah Wekesa W.
   Communications – Digital Lead
   Amref Health Africa
   Noah.Wekesa@amref.org + 254 711 128 165