The university of Edinburgh in collaboration with university of Nairobi, have convened together with Community Health Volunteers and Researchers to disseminate research findings, from an Ethnographic research done Isiolo on Community Health Workers, Their live and Experiences. The event took place today, November 8, 2023, in the sixth floor of the UoN Tower's Chandaria Auditorium.

In welcoming the guests, Prof. Jack Odhiambo, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said, "in house are community health volunteers, anthropologists, researchers, representatives from the ministry of health and students," speaking on behalf of VC Prof. Stephen Kiama.

In response to a query about the mental health of CHVs, Mr. Siad Guyo,Community Health Coordinator, Isiolo County, expressing Digitization-county perspective, stated that "expectations are too much and county's expect these people to help them a lot." We are putting a lot of stress on the CHV’s”

Dr. Kathy Dodworth , a research fellow at the University of Edinburgh and research associate at the University of Nairobi, expressed her disappointment at seeing images of "CHPs" who were overworked and under supported. She explained that the community health workers, are like government employees and they carry out a lot of work in societies.

"I recommend that institution like university of Nairobi, could take it up from here and give advisory to the ministry of Health to take it a notch higher and value community Health Promoters and Work," said Dr. Ouma Olunga, a health systems expert.

Ms. Margret Odera, a CHW advocate, urged the CHPs present in her address by saying, "I encourage all the community health promoters to come out of their cocoons and speak out as well so that these issues can be outlined and actions taken."

 A community health promoter by the name Emanman tells the tale of how CHPS are handled in various communities; he details the ordeals they go through in their attempts to preserve society, only to be given "kitu kidogo" to return to their family. He went on to list some of the difficulties they encounter, including lack of technology, illiteracy, poverty,  abuse and violence, lack of amenities like ambulances, family dispute and breakage of families, bureaucracy and political interferences, government harassment that prevents reports from being delivered, and pastorist migration.

The event's moderator, Prof. Owuor Olungah, of University of Nairobi, Department of Anthropology  Gender and African Studies, said in his closing remarks that "sometimes we do research but we don't give feedback to the community."