We were privileged to host a high-level inception meeting today bringing together Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF), NCMTC, our potential development partners Action Foundation, and officers from the Kilifi County Department of Health, Kilifi South Sub-County, led by Dr. Mwangome. The meeting marked a significant milestone as an inception session for a proposed consortium project focused on advancing disability inclusion through strengthened health systems, community engagement, and multi-sectorial collaboration.
The engagement provided an important platform for partners and stakeholders to deliberate on the project’s vision, strategic priorities, and implementation framework aimed at improving access to essential health services and promoting social inclusion for persons with disabilities. Led by the Programmes Team from Action Foundation Mr. Kirui, the session highlighted key components of the initiative, including equitable service delivery, capacity strengthening for health providers, community awareness creation, and advocacy for disability-responsive policies and practices.
Disability inclusion remains a critical priority in advancing universal health coverage and achieving sustainable community development. The proposed project seeks to address barriers that persons with disabilities often face in accessing healthcare and social services, including physical inaccessibility of facilities, stigma and discrimination, limited awareness of rights and available services, and inadequate integration of disability considerations within community health programs. Through this initiative, partners aim to promote inclusive health systems that recognize the diverse needs of individuals and ensure that no one is left behind.
A key focus of the discussions centered on strengthening community entry strategies to foster trust, participation, and ownership among community members. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of engaging persons with disabilities, caregivers, community leaders, and service providers in the planning and implementation process to ensure responsive and sustainable interventions. The meeting also explored approaches to enhancing early identification and referral systems, improving access to assistive services, supporting inclusive health education, and promoting disability-sensitive programming at both community and facility levels.
The dialogue further underscored the value of coordinated multi-sectorial action in addressing the social determinants of health affecting persons with disabilities. The presence of the Director of Persons with Disabilities, the County Officer in charge of the Persons with Disability Department, the Sub-County Education Officer, and the CHPF Programmes Manager, among other stakeholders, reinforced the importance of integrating health, education, and social protection efforts to create enabling environments for inclusive development.
This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to strengthening partnerships, promoting equity, and enhancing the dignity, participation, and well-being of persons with disabilities. By fostering inclusive health systems and empowering communities, the consortium seeks to drive sustainable impact and contribute to healthier, more resilient societies.
