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Advocacy and lobbying
CHAK has achieved notable recognition and involvement in policy discussions in line with the substantial role played by its members in health care provision in Kenya. CHAK lobbies on behalf of its members with Government and other stakeholders in health for allocation of resources, secondment of staff and involvement in policy dialogue.
 CHAK serves as the secretariat for the MOH-FBHS-TWG, a structured forum for regular engagement with the Government and donors and participated in the development of the Medium Term Expenditure framework that saw the inclusion of support for FBO health services in the budget from 2007/08.
To strengthen its advocacy role, CHAK engages both reactive and proactive approaches depending on the issues to be addressed. Operational research and documentation is done to build an evidence base to support advocacy efforts while a database of CHAK MHUs and the health services they provide is maintained at the Secretariat. CHAK collaborates with KEC, MEDS, SUPKEM, HENNET and other stakeholders in its advocacy efforts.
Back to top Networking
CHAK being an ecumenical national network presents a unique forum and opportunity for networking and exchange of experiences as well as resources among members. CHAK facilitates networking between members through Regional Coordinating Committees, the Annual Health Conference and Annual General Meeting, inter-facility visits, sharing of information and publication of articles in the network newsletter, CHAK Times.
CHAK networks with organisations both nationally and internationally, working closely with the Ministry of Health, NACC, NASCOP, KEC, HENNET, KENAAM, APHIAs, AfriAfya and other health sector stakeholders.
CHAK recognises the need for Church health facilities in Africa to share best practices and experiences for lesson learning. The Association networks with other Christian Health Associations in Africa through the CHAs Platform, which is currently hosted at the CHAK offices. The CHAs Platform produces a the Africa CHAs Bulletin to aid in sharing of best practices among Christian Health Associations in Africa as well as Contact Magazine. Back to top Training
There are growing Continuous Medical Education (CME) needs especially among small health service units due to Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) requirements that all nurses reach a set number of CME credit hours for their licenses to be renewed. The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (MP&DB) has also introduced similar requirements for doctors.
As facilitator, CHAK builds the capacity of staff in its member health units through trainings in the form of seminars, workshops, meetings and conferences. CHAK identifies gaps in member health units and designs training activities to address these gaps, working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders in the health sector in Kenya.
We also provide support and coordination for the following formal training programs:
The Ministry of Health recognizes CHAK as a key partner in the department of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CHAK is involved in the National CPD Taskforce and participates in forums and activities aimed at promoting CPD for health workers in Kenya. Back to top Management and governance support for members
CHAK recognizes that good governance and management of health systems is key to attaining efficiency and sustainability of Church health institutions especially in the face of growing competition from the Ministry of Health and private health facilities.
CHAK Secretariat builds the capacity of Member Health Units in corporate governance and management and supports the development of management policies and tools for its members.
The Secretariat staff participate in governing boards of member hospitals to offer technical advise where invited. We also carry out governance and management assessment and trainings in response to requests by members. Back to top
Medical equipment procurement, installation and repair
CHAK runs a Health Care Technical Services (HCTS) Programme which procures, installs, repairs and maintains medical equipment in mission hospitals in Kenya. The programme runs a workshop and medical equipment and spare parts store operated by qualified medical technicians.
The store liaises with procurement agencies and manufacturers to purchase high quality medical equipment and spare parts for mission health facilities at affordable rates.
The workshop technicians provide a wide range of routine maintenance services and specialize in X-ray and anesthesia equipment maintenance, serving church health facilities around the country.
Back to top Promoting access to essential drugs and supplies through MEDS
CHAK in partnership with the Kenya Episcopal Conference (KEC) own and support a drug procurement agency, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS). MEDS has for over two decades provided essential drugs and medical supplies to Church and non-profit making health facilities in Kenya and eastern Africa, benefiting poor and marginalized communities.
The quality of drugs and medical supplies from MEDS is guaranteed through a stringent supplier evaluation and laboratory quality analysis. MEDS also provides technical support in drug use and stock management for its clients.
Many CHAK Health Facilities are located in rural and remote areas that are often hit by disease outbreaks and insecurity. CHAK ensures that member health facilities have access to drugs and medical supplies when such emergencies occur. The Secretariat works closely with affected health facilities to compile a list of the necessary supplies which are then supplied by MEDS. Back to top HIV AIDS prevention, treatment and care
CHAK through its members provides comprehensive HIV/AIDS care services including prevention through the ABC model, communication for behaviour change, pediatric and adult ARV treatment, PMCT, VCT, home-based Care (HBC) including palliative care, Post Exposure Prevention/Prophylaxis (PEP) and management of opportunistic infections.
The CHAK network has several CD4 count and viral load machines to enable health facilities provide comprehensive care for HIV/AIDS patients.
CHAK also builds the capacity of health workers in its member health units in HIV/AIDS treatment, care and support and has been recognized by the Ministry of Health for training in PMCT and ART. We are building capacity to attain similar recognition for VCT.
A key area of focus for CHAK is stigma reduction and mitigation of rights of PLWHAs through a project titled 'Promoting access to justice for PLWHAs in Kenya'. The organization collaborates with other stakeholders in HIV/AIDS policy development, planning and implementation and works closely with NASCOP and NACC. MEDS facilitates access to a variety of ARVs. Back to top Communication, documentation and publication
Communication is central to ensuring CHAK members and the Secretariat are constantly updated on policy and other developments in the health sector and the network.
Inclusion of FBOs in national health sector planning and resource allocation has made this role even more critical, especially given that the health sector has adopted the SWAps approach.
CHAK publishes and disseminates a network newsletter CHAK Times, the Association’s Annual report, reports of major CHAK events, research findings and other publications.
A database of CHAK members is maintained at the CHAK Secretariat to enhance efficiency in information dissemination while a resource centre located at the Secretariat provides MHUs with access to information in both electronic and printed form. Back to top |
