Kisumu County’s health reforms are showing tangible results, with early data from the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) indicating increased service uptake following referrals by Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

The success stems from the county’s Mental Health and Wellness Program, supported by the Johnson & Johnson Foundation in partnership with Living Goods.

A delegation from the Foundation, led by Mr. Howard Reid, President for Africa and Ms. Alice Linn Fabiano, Vice President for Global Health Equity, visited Kisumu to review the impact of their investment.

Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili hailed J&J’s support in strengthening community health systems. He said over 3,500 health workers, including CHPs, Community Health Assistants and Mental Health Coordinators, have been trained to identify and refer cases for treatment.

Kisumu is the first county in Kenya to set up dedicated Mental Wellness Centers that promote early diagnosis and timely care. Seventeen centers are operational, with plans to cover all 35 wards.

The county also plans to integrate eCHIS data into the Kisumu Health Information Exchange to enhance care coordination and evidence-based decision-making.

The J&J team toured households and the Kisumu County Referral Hospital, where they met beneficiaries and witnessed the referral process from community to facility level.

Through J&J’s full scholarship program, the number of psychiatric nurses at the Kisumu Medical Training Institute has risen from 50 to 110, boosting mental health capacity.

“Our partnership with J&J is transforming community health from the ground up,” said Dr. Owili. “We are building a healthier, more resilient Kisumu where no one is left behind.”