By Shadrack Nyakoe
In the rural villages of Kisumu County, Kenya, a quiet yet transformative healthcare revolution is underway. Spearheading this change is Millicent Atieno, a community health worker (CHW) in Nyando Sub-County, whose work exemplifies the impact of a partnership between nonprofit organization Living Goods and Amazon Web Services (AWS) under their Health Equity Initiative.
Community health workers like Millicent have long been the backbone of healthcare delivery in remote regions.
However, their potential has often been hindered by a lack of resources, insufficient training, and logistical challenges.
Living Goods aims to change that narrative by equipping CHWs with digital tools, essential medicines, and in-depth training to enhance their effectiveness.
AWS, through its global Health Equity Initiative, has amplified Living Goods’ efforts. By providing computing credits and technical expertise, AWS has enabled the digitization of community healthcare, empowering CHWs to deliver faster and more precise care to underserved populations.
Transforming Community Health with Technology
Kenya was chosen as a pilot for AWS’s Health Equity Initiative due to its Ministry of Health’s focus on Community-Based Disease Surveillance (CBDS) as outlined in the National Community Health Digitization Strategy 2020-2025.
Living Goods is a key player in this strategy, aiming to digitize and support Kenya’s 95,000 CHWs by 2025.
For Millicent, the introduction of mobile technology has been a game changer. Armed with a device that offers real-time patient tracking, guidance, and health education materials, she can now provide better preventive care and identify high-risk health conditions earlier.
“Now, I can provide timely advice, track follow-ups, and help mothers access the care they need,” she shares.
This transformation has been particularly impactful in maternal and child health. CHWs like Millicent are now equipped to deliver antenatal care, childbirth support, and postnatal services, significantly reducing maternal and child mortality in areas like Nyando Sub-County.
Slava Odhiambo, a Living Goods supervisor, highlights these achievements: “We’ve seen a notable drop in maternal and child deaths due to early identification of high-risk pregnancies and timely health facility referrals.”
A Collaborative Approach to Lasting Change
Living Goods’ model prioritizes government-led, community-driven healthcare, aligning its programs with local priorities through collaboration with national and county governments as well as community leaders.
This shared implementation framework has strengthened healthcare delivery in Kisumu County.
Maureen Opiyo, Kisumu County’s Community Health Coordinator, commends the initiative: “We’ve brought quality healthcare closer to communities while reducing disease burdens through prevention and early intervention.”
AWS’s support has been instrumental in driving these successes, enabling the scaling of healthcare initiatives in remote regions.
Globally, AWS’s $60 million Health Equity Initiative has supported over 337 projects, impacting 109 million users by mid-2024.
Empowering Local Heroes
For Millicent, the partnership has been life-changing. “Before, I struggled with limited knowledge and resources,” she reflects. “Today, the community sees me as a trusted health partner. It’s deeply rewarding to make such a difference in people’s lives.”
This collaboration between Living Goods and AWS highlights the potential of innovative solutions to address health disparities. By empowering community health workers with technology, training, and trust, the partnership serves as a global blueprint for bridging healthcare gaps and creating lasting change in underserved areas.