Extending rHRIS to NASCOP-K for Quasi-Regulation of HIV Cadres
Kenya’s HIV response relies on a wide range of service providers, many of whom fall outside the scope of formal health professional regulators. These unregulated cadres play a vital role in prevention, treatment, and care—but until recently, there was no structured way to track their training, deployment, or performance. This lack of oversight created risks for service quality, accountability, and effective workforce planning.
To address this, the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP) partnered with HETARK to extend the Regulatory Human Resource Information System (rHRIS) to this critical workforce segment. The system was adapted to capture training, certification, and deployment data, supported by a national-level database and engagement with county health departments, training institutions, and implementing partners. Targeted capacity-building ensured that NASCOP staff and partners could effectively use and sustain the system.
The Challenge
Kenya’s HIV response depends on a diverse health workforce, including cadres who deliver vital services but fall outside the scope of formal health professional regulatory bodies. For the National AIDS and STI Control Program (NASCOP), this presented a persistent challenge: there was no structured way to document training, track deployment, or monitor performance for these providers. The absence of oversight exposed the system to risks—service quality could vary, accountability was limited, and workforce planning lacked reliable data. In a field where continuity and quality of care are critical, this gap threatened the consistency of HIV service delivery nationwide.
The Approach
To close this gap, NASCOP partnered with HETARK to extend the Regulatory Human Resource Information System (rHRIS) and establish a quasi-regulatory framework for HIV cadres. This innovative adaptation focused on bringing structure and visibility to a workforce segment that had long operated in the shadows.
Key elements included:
Customized rHRIS Modules: Tailoring system tools to capture training, certification, deployment, and continuing professional development data.
Stakeholder Engagement: Working closely with implementing partners, training institutions, and county health departments to ensure broad adoption and data completeness.
Centralized Database: Creating a national-level registry that consolidates information on competencies, service locations, and workforce distribution.
Capacity Strengthening: Equipping NASCOP staff and partners with skills in system use, data protocols, and reporting.
The Impact
By extending rHRIS to HIV cadres, NASCOP has built the foundation for a quasi-regulatory framework that enhances oversight, improves planning, and strengthens accountability in Kenya’s HIV response.
Tangible outcomes include:
Improved Workforce Tracking: A comprehensive national registry now documents training, roles, and deployment of HIV cadres.
Enhanced Quality Oversight: Better data enables NASCOP to align training programs with service delivery needs, raising the quality and consistency of HIV care.
Evidence-Based Planning: Workforce data informs redistribution decisions, ensuring providers are deployed where demand is greatest.
Greater Transparency and Accountability: For the first time, NASCOP can monitor this critical workforce segment with structured oversight.
