Challenges
In Kibera, overcrowding and poor sanitation lead to high rates of child and maternal mortality, infectious diseases, and child malnutrition. Addressing the wide-range of public health issues present in the community requires a coordinated, locally-informed, and multi-sectoral approach.
CFK Solutions
CFK operates four healthcare facilities and a community health outreach program to meet the diverse needs of the Kibera community. Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) take health education directly to residents’ homes, acting as a bridge between the facilities and the community, conducting home-based health screenings, referring residents to clinics for vital healthcare services, and conducting follow-up visits with patients.
Tabitha Medical Clinic
With a dual focus on prevention and treatment, Tabitha Medical Clinic is a ‘one-stop-shop’ offering healthcare services ranging from immunizations to x-rays. It also helps transport patients in need of further care by ambulance to hospitals in surrounding areas.
The clinic also produces valuable public health research in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has helped improve lives and inform government responses.
Tabitha Maternity Home
Developed in response to community needs and with community input, the Tabitha Maternity Home opened September 23, 2019 to improve health outcomes for mothers and newborns in Kibera. To maximize accessibility, the facility is centrally located, has access to a road, and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CFK facilitates transportation, operates an ambulance, and engages with community leaders to ensure the safety and security of all patients.
Lishe Bora Mtaani Nutrition Centre
The Lishe Bora Nutrition Centre serves severely malnourished children under the age of five through an eight-week malnutrition management program in early childhood development (ECD) Centres or daycare settings across seven villages in Kibera. Early childhood educators provide educational instruction and support the development of social skills while providing three nutritious meals per day. The centre offers deworming and vitamin A supplementation and conducts growth monitoring to ensure that children are progressing.
Young Health and Wellness Centre
The Young Health and Wellness Centre uses interactive activities, recreation, work readiness programs, mentorship, counseling, and the provision of accurate information to ensure that young people ages 10-24 are physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally healthy. Using a youth peer-provider model, CFK encourages youth leaders to reach out to other young people in the community and refer them to services at the centre.