2022 Inter-faith Religious Leaders Workshop for COVID-19 Prevention
On December 6, 2022 EGPAF-Kenya partnered with the Ministry of Health’s Department of Health Promotion to convene a workshop for religious leaders, focusing on COVID-19 and health sensitization. Workshop participants received a COVID-19 trainer’s guide and discussed strategies to increase the uptake of COVID-19 and HPV vaccines. These leaders also discussed ways to strengthen health commitments among various community stakeholders and take collective action for better health outcomes.
Dr. Abdirahman Ismail, chair of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), commended EGPAF for convening the forum and recognizing the religious leaders as critical partners in health. He noted that, empowered with the right information, religious leaders are able to leverage their influence to better health outcomes, noting that religious leaders had played a significant role in mobilizing communities for uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.
He noted that the IRCK is a coalition of all major faith communities in Kenya, who work together to mobilize their unique moral and social resources.
Dr. Salim, head of the Department of Primary Healthcare thanked EGPAF for the partnership and the religious leaders for being key partners in health.
“Being close to the communities you are strategically placed to engage and educate communities on health and other moral issues and influence behavior change,” said Dr. Salim. “We are happy with the work you have been doing and look forward to working with you more as well as collaborating with the partners coming on board.”
EGPAF-Kenya County Director Dr. Eliud Mwangi highlighted the plight of children and young people and called on the religious leaders to partner with the organization and the Ministry of Health to ensure that children and young people are protected and are not left behind in the quest for better health.
“Data is showing us that our children are left behind in the HIV response, failing treatment and generally lagging behind in the response,” said Dr. Mwangi. “We also continue to face teenage pregnancies, affecting the outcomes of our young girls and the children born to them. As leaders, we are faced with this as both a health and moral issue and I am calling on all of us to come together and ensure that we safeguard the welfare of our children and young people. We have the tools and knowledge and with the goodwill of all stakeholders we can realize an AIDS-free generation.”
As leaders, we are faced with this as both a health and moral issue and I am calling on all of us to come together and ensure that we safeguard the welfare of our children and young people. We have the tools and knowledge and with the goodwill of all stakeholders we can realize an AIDS-free generation.” Dr. Eliud Mwangi
Dr. Virginia Gitau, an EGPAF infectious disease specialist, emphasized the integration model that has worked well in Kiambu County: “Integration of COVID-19 services in routine health services has helped in the uptake of the test and treatment services for COVID-19 under the CCA [Catalytic COVID-19 Action] project. Integration presents an opportunity to embrace the one health approach and offer patient-focused services as well as pandemic preparedness, ensuring that health systems are not overwhelmed or some services left behind.”
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ismael reiterated the IRCK commitment to bettering health outcomes and commitment to the partnership to ensure as leaders they remained informed to educate and sensitize the communities.
“Equipped with the right information, our people can enhance their utilization of health services and better their own health outcomes. We appreciate the partnership extended by the Ministry of Health and health partners to share this vital information, and we look forward to continued engagement.” said Dr. Abdirahman Ismail, Chairman Inter- Religious Council of Kenya
In attendance were leaders at the helm of the interfaith council and CSOs working in health.
