Healthcare and Medicine (Nitibu)
Rationale
Good health is the foundation for a hopeful future. An Arab proverb states, “He who has health, has hope. He who has hope, has everything.” Many children in our Kenyan communities suffer health challenges that threaten their survival – in fact, 5.4 million children under five died globally in 2017, about half in sub-Saharan Africa. Orphaned, abandoned, and impoverished children face even higher mortality risk; too many “may never reach adulthood” due to preventable or treatable conditions. Youthful Faces works to ensure quick access to medical care for every child in our program. We partner with physicians and health facilities so that a child’s illness or injury does not spiral into tragedy. Health support also includes HIV prevention/treatment where relevant, immunizations, and health education.
Strategic Objectives
Ensure comprehensive health care access and improved health outcomes for children and adolescents in the program. By 2028, 100% of Youthful Faces beneficiaries will be enrolled in a basic health insurance or community health scheme, and all will receive needed medical care (curative and preventive) in a timely manner. We will monitor key health indicators (vaccination status, incidence of common 12 illnesses, etc.) and strive to see zero preventable child deaths or severe illnesses among those we support.
Measurable Targets (2026 - 2028)
Healthcare Access
Enroll all beneficiary children in Kenya’s National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) or a similar scheme by 2026 to reduce financial barriers to care. Supplement as needed to cover services not in NHIF. Ensure each child has at least one annual medical check-up and required immunizations by partnering with local clinics.
Medical Partnerships
Establish formal Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with at least 3 local health providers or hospitals across our service counties by 2027. These partnerships will guarantee priority treatment for our children (including emergencies). For example, if a child is sick, Youthful Faces volunteers can get them “quick, easy access to essential medical services on demand, including vaccinations and medicine”.
Health Outcomes
Track and aim to improve outcomes such as reduced incidence of childhood illnesses. By 2028, all children under 5 in the program will have completed recommended immunizations (per Kenya’s guidelines), and prevent incidence of serious illnesses among our program children due to better nutrition, WASH, and healthcare access.
Adolescent Health & SRHR
Introduce an Adolescent Health & Reproductive Education component by 2027 for older youth. This includes life-skills sessions on HIV prevention, reproductive health, and mental health. Rationale: By providing education and linkages to youth-friendly health services, we empower teens to make healthy choices and reduce HIV/STI risk. Success will be measured by tracking that 0% of girls in the program have unintended pregnancies during their secondary schooling, and all adolescents have access to counseling or referrals for reproductive health needs.
Health support aligns with SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being. It also echoes UNICEF and OVC guidelines, which emphasize that OVC programs must address health care access as a core service. With the threat of HIV/AIDS ever-present, Youthful Faces maintains its commitment to HIV-affected children while broadening to overall health. Our plan contributes to Kenya’s national goals of universal health coverage and to the African Union Youth Charter priority on Youth Health and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights by educating and protecting young people.