SYNERGY FOR HEALTH – Strengthening Integrated Care for HIV and Chronic Diseases in Kenya
Descrizione progetto
Project Description
In the rural areas of the counties of Meru and Tharaka-Nithi in Kenya, access to comprehensive and quality healthcare services remains a daily challenge, especially for the most vulnerable populations. In these settings, people living with HIV are increasingly facing additional chronic conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, without being able to rely on a fully integrated healthcare system.
SYNERGY FOR HEALTH was created to respond to this concrete need: to improve the quality of and access to care through an integrated model that brings together HIV and non-communicable disease (NCD) services within the same healthcare facilities.
The project is implemented in four healthcare centers already operating in the area and managed by the local partner, DREAM Kenya Trust. It strengthens existing services while introducing new skills, diagnostic tools, and community-based support activities.
Alongside improvements in care, particular attention is given to the community dimension: information, prevention, and direct support to individuals—especially the elderly and those who face difficulties accessing healthcare facilities.
Objective
To strengthen integrated healthcare services for HIV and non-communicable diseases in rural Kenya, improving service quality and access to care for the most vulnerable populations, through:
- integration of healthcare services for HIV and chronic conditions
- training of healthcare personnel and community health workers
- strengthening the link between healthcare facilities and communities
Main Activities
The project is structured along four main lines of intervention:
1) Strengthening healthcare workers’ skills
- Training healthcare staff and community health promoters on chronic diseases and elderly care
- Updating knowledge on national guidelines for integrated care
2) Integrated healthcare services in treatment centers
- Introduction of a “one-stop-shop” model, enabling patients to receive care for HIV and NCDs in the same location
- Improvement of diagnosis and monitoring of chronic conditions
- Health and nutritional screening for all patients
3) Community outreach and patient support
- Organization of support groups for older people
- Information sessions on health, prevention, and healthy daily practices
- Home visits for vulnerable patients or those with limited access to services
- Awareness campaigns and community-based screening activities
4) Facility improvement and institutional coordination
- Maintenance and upgrading of healthcare centers
- Provision of essential medical equipment
- Participation in coordination platforms with local and national health authorities
This project is supported by the Fresenius Foundation.