Hospital outreach community-based health care: the case of Chogoria, Kenya

This article presents an analysis of the community health activities of Chogoria Hospital, Kenya, as they evolved from a typical 'outreach' programme to a heavily community-based one, and the factors that contributed to this conversion. Factors considered include family planning, being the central theme of the programme since its inception, financing, and the impact of the programme is illustrated with data from an extensive evaluation carried out in 1985. The question of long-term financial viability is addressed, contrasting the desired self-sufficiency with the need and extent of donor contributions and finally a number of key factors are listed that may have been important to the success of the programme.