Module 3 of 5
How to access care. Tiers of the health system. When to seek care and where. Patient rights and advocacy.
In the next 8 minutes you'll learn exactly where to send someone for care, what they're entitled to when they arrive, and how to cut the cost of getting help — knowledge that can save a life.
Margaret's Question
1 / 5 · 2 minMargaret, 28, Eldoret
Margaret's 4-year-old son has had a fever for two days, and she is not sure what to do. The nearest government dispensary is a 20-minute walk, but a neighbour told her the nurse there 'never has medicines.' The Mission Hospital is 8 kilometres away and will cost 500 shillings for the consultation alone — more than her family earns in a day.
She has heard a community health volunteer visits her area once a month, but she does not have her number. Margaret knows something is wrong with her son. What she does not know is where to go, what to expect when she gets there, or what rights she has when she arrives.
Margaret's struggle is not unusual. Across Kenya, families face the same three questions every time someone falls ill: Where do I go? What will it cost? And what can I expect when I arrive?
This lesson gives you — and the families you serve — clear answers. Let's start with one fact that explains why your work matters so much.
Educational only
This content is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All health decisions — especially regarding pregnancy, child health, medications, and mental health — should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency, seek care immediately.
Kenya has approximately 1 doctor for every 10,000 people — compared to the WHO recommended minimum of 1 per 1,000. That gap is why community health workers are not a supplement to the health system. They are essential infrastructure.
Which of the following best explains why community health workers (CHWs) are important in African health systems?