A partnership between HopeCore, World Bicycle Relief Kenya and the Tharaka Nithi County government is transforming community healthcare delivery service after 150 community health promoters (CHPs) received bicycles to strengthen household outreach services.

The bicycles are helping CHPs navigate remote and hard-to-reach areas more efficiently that is intended to improve access to essential healthcare services for residents across the county.

Among the beneficiaries is Millicent Gacheri, a community health promoter serving in the Marimanti Community Unit in Mathiga village. For years, she trekked across rugged terrain, poor road networks and sparsely populated areas on foot to reach families under her care.

The farthest household on her itineraries lies approximately four kilometres away, which made it difficult for her to regularly follow up on patients and provide timely health interventions.

“I experienced major challenges reaching my assigned households on foot. The high number of pregnant mothers and tuberculosis defaulters in my area required close follow-up, but without transport it was difficult to visit all of them,” Gacheri said.

Before receiving the bicycle, she used to visit an average of three households per day due to the long distances and physical strain associated with walking under harsh weather conditions. This limited her ability to monitor expectant women, children who require immunisation and patients undergoing treatment for chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, HIV/Aids and hypertension.

Since receiving the bicycle through the partnership initiative, Gacheri’s productivity and reach have significantly improved. She now visits up to 13 households per week and conducts faster follow-ups for tuberculosis and hypertension patients in her assigned community.

The improved mobility has also increased antenatal and postnatal referrals while helping track children who previously defaulted on immunization schedules.

Clinic attendance in her area has improved as she now personally follows up with caregivers of children who miss vaccination appointments to ensure they receive the required doses. In some cases, Gacheri also uses the bicycle to assist vulnerable patients in accessing medical care.

She recalled a recent incident where she cycled to Kamatungu village to support an underage pregnant girl who was afraid of seeking hospital care.

After counselling the teenager on the importance of proper maternal health services, Gacheri accompanied her to a health facility, where the young mother now attends regular clinic appointments.

Health officials say the bicycles are proving to be a simple but effective intervention that enhances mobility, strengthens community health outreach and improves access to essential health services in remote areas of Tharaka Nithi County.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Dickson Mwiti