Today we visited a community health post (CHP) in Doris. We met with a nurse in charge and 2 CHWs. The nurse in charge had been working in healthcare for 20 years, and was promoted to nurse in charge about 2 years ago. The CHWs had both been working since 2015. It was really important for us to visit this post because they have the highest number of people infected with a UTI within their provence. We had happened to visit on the day that all pregnant women in the surrounding communities come in for a check up. There were 6 pregnant women in the waiting room and the nurse in charge showed us that he had just screened two of them for a UTI and both came back positive. Our translator, Hassan, explained to us that he thinks the high rates of UTIs is due to the large amounts of stagnant water in the area.
The CHWs stated that their main challenges are late stipends/stipends not paid in full, no access to a freeline to call clinics and traveling far distances. The stated that they are already out of all the UTI referral tickets that Gabi (Ukweli field fellow) had given to them earlier this year. They all stated that they like working with the referral process and find it effective to track and bring people to the clinic. They discuss with their peer supervisors at the end of each month to relearn skills and talk through current health issues happening in the community.
Pictured left to right: Two CHWs, a nurse and the nurse in charge.
After, we drove to Yoni, another rural CHP. We also met with a nurse in charge and two CHWs. The nurse in charge stated that her job is challenging because most people in her community are reluctant to medication. They think that healthcare professionals are out to get their money. To get rid of this assumption, she tries to do outreach programs once a month to educate people on the importance of coming to the clinic/post.
The CHWs have both been working since 2016 and said that the challenges they face most often are criticism and neglect from community members. They said they advise members to go to the clinic for treatment, however they don't and later regret it because their symptoms get much worse. They are also trying to change the community's mindset by running outreach programs and visiting homes frequently.
Pictured: the two CHWs interviewed
Later in the day, a tailor who is making outfits for all of us came to take measurements and deliver some of the finished pieces. Cassidy, Sage and Isabel all received their new outfits.
Pictured: Cassidy in her new outfit! Not really her style but happy to support local business women :)