The IntraHealth International-led Capacity Kenya project will honor local health workers next month with the Health Professional of the Year awards, which are designed to promote excellence, strengthen capacity, and recognize professionalism in health care provision.   Nominees—from public, private, and faith-based health facilities nationwide—will be selected by their peers. Representatives from the government of Kenya and nine health professional associations will select the winners.

“The vision of the government is to have an efficient and high-quality health care system that is equitable, accessible and affordable to every Kenyan,” explained Professor James Ole Kiyiapi, the government of Kenya permanent secretary in the Ministry of Medical Services. “The awards work towards the realization of this goal by inspiring the health practitioners to be resourceful and innovative in meeting the existing challenges of providing quality health care in challenging work environments.”

The awards ceremony will be held on July 23. “The awards challenge the health worker to perform at optimum,” said Professor Kiyiapi. “It reminds the health worker that they should always ask themselves whether they are meeting their goals and whether they are making a difference in the lives of Kenyans.”