Members of the public within Uasin Gishu county will now be able to report on challenges they are facing in regards to access to health care services.
This follows the roll-out of a new tool that allows them to give their feedback online – anonymously.
Dubbed Imonitor, the tool is a mobile application that allows a citizen to log in and give either a positive or negative feedback on anything related to health services within his/her locality.
“The government will be able to see the isuses raised and respond to them. If there is no solution available, we will pick them up for advocacy,” noted Winnie Chelagat Neighbors in Action Kenya Programs Officer.
The Community-Based Organization is rolling out the tool following support from Amref and Global Fund.
“We are looking for evidence-based advocacy using civil society and community structures to solve health issues evidently and effectively,” noted Chelagat.
Some of the challenges in the health sector that Neighbors in Action Kenya is hoping will be addressed with the new tool include lack of drugs in health facilities, poor service delivery and inadequate health workers.
“Through this system, we will be able to identity what problems are unique to a particular health facility and find the best way to advocate for it be addressed,” noted the official from the CBO.
Sensitisation on Imonitor
She spoke at the end of a two-day workshop with members of the Civil Society from Uasin Gishu County. The workshop was meant to sensitize the CSO’s on how Imonitor functions so as to enable them also play a part in advocating for better services to the mwananchi.
Benedine Kipruto, the chairperson of the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network said the tool will provide them an opportunity to closely work with the county in enhancing the health sector.
“This tool will help us ensure our voices matter on issues that affect us. We will not be afraid to raise any issues because it is anonymous. It is a very innovative tool,” said Benson Juma, an Eldoret-based activist and a member of the Uasin Gishu Civil Society Network.
“This tool will help citizens raise issues related to health services easily. Many walk long distance to get to a health facility only to find that it has no drugs. But they have no place to raise the issues,” added another member of the Uasin Gishu CSO’s Stephen Ng’ososei.
With Imonitor, any member of the community can sign use, using their real names or anonymously are be able to report any issues that touch on health services.
The system can also be accessed by health workers and government officials who will be able to respond to issues raised.
