A week-long training for healthcare providers from the County Government of West Pokot commenced on Monday, November 3, in Kapenguria.
The training, facilitated under H.E. Rachel Ruto’s Voice of Children Project through the Ministry of Health – NASCOP, focuses on the theme #KeepingDreamsAlive: Ending Teenage Pregnancies, HIV, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of health workers to provide Adolescents and Young People (AYP)-friendly services in their communities.
Participants are being equipped with practical skills to raise awareness, promote prevention, and educate residents on ways to address the triple challenge of teenage pregnancies, HIV infections, and GBV.
Mr Mburu, a facilitator from NASCOP, underscored the importance of cascading the knowledge gained to other staff in local health facilities and integrating the AYP agenda into the Annual Work Plans (AWPs).
He emphasised that continuous training is key to building the capacity of health workers in counselling and supporting people living with HIV, while also combating stigma and discrimination at the community level.
Speaking during the opening session, Ms Nelly Achokor, the AIDS and STI Coordinator and GBV Focal Person for West Pokot County, lauded H.E. Rachel Ruto for her continued commitment to the welfare of children and young people through the Voice of Children initiative.
She noted that the program has had a tangible impact in West Pokot by promoting positive health-seeking behaviours, improving youth engagement, and encouraging dialogue on sensitive but important issues such as reproductive health and gender-based violence.
Ms Achokor urged health workers to remain proactive in community outreach and education, particularly targeting young people in schools and villages.
“Our collective goal is to reduce early pregnancies, prevent new HIV infections, and empower young people to make informed choices about their health and future,” she said.
The Voice of Children Project continues to play a crucial role in advancing youth-friendly health services across Kenya, with West Pokot standing out as one of the counties leading in implementation.