KILELE Health Association meets with the County Executive Commissions Officer

On 7th February 2024, KILELE Health Association paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed County Executive Commission in Embu, Mr. Jamal Runyenje. This was with a view of bringing him up to speed on the Thamani Yetu program advancements in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County. The program was launched in Embu County early last year.

The discussions primarily focused on cervical cancer vaccination, screening, and treatment efforts, in order to create awareness and influence community behavior change.

Thamani Yetu project aims to enhance cervical cancer prevention and early detection by sensitizing 40,000 community members in, Embu County, with information about cervical cancer. This is being done by administering HPV vaccinations to girls, and screening women with HPV tests across the county, with the targets number being 1500 Girls and 1000 women respectively.

To achieve this, KILELE Health Association has partnered with 8 facilities, including Ishiara Level 5 Hospital, Consolata Kyeni Hospital, Kamumu Dispensary, Kanyuambora Dispensary, Mbeere Sub County Hospital and Kyenire Dispensary and Muchonoke Dispensary along with The County Health Management Team (CHMT) and Facilities Health Management Teams are partnered with as well.

The project has the following specific objectives:

• Advocate for the implementation of the WHO 90-70-90 targets in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County.
• Promote access to HPV Vaccination and Cervical Health Screening for early detection in target communities.
• Set up a community-led navigation system for ease of access to service across the cancer care continuum

OUTCOMES OF THE MEETING

At the meeting, KILELE Health Association pledged to equip the laboratory at Embu Level 5 Hospital and repairing machines, for specific cancer-related tests in preparation of the medical camp sponsored by iHOPE International. This camp aimed to provide surgical procedures for patients and was scheduled to take place from 19^th to 24^th February 2024.

In attendance was Ms. Benda Kithaka, Executive Director KILELE Health Association, Gideon Gachihi Project Officer KILELE Health Association, Rita Njiru Project Officer based in Embu and Jacquline Ogingo, Programs Officer KILELE Health Association.

H.E Jamal promised KILELE Health Association that a sustainability strategy would be developed once their services are fully operational. Additionally, he pledged to secure budget allocations from the County Government of Embu to support cervical cancer services.

In the meeting, Ms. Benda Kithaka committed to supporting the training of healthcare workers in the county for cervical cancer screening, and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in facilitating community-led outreach programs