This report includes results and stories recorded in the months of April and May. It also includes challenges proposed solutions and planned activities for the month of June.
Project Goal
To provide free primary healthcare services to people in vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing socio-political crisis in the North-West and South-West regions of Cameroon.
Project Objectives
- To support two (2) CHWs in Kitta, Ekondo-Titi Health District to provide free primary healthcare services to those in need.
- To perform surveillance on diseases prone to outbreaks in Kitta and Tole.
RESULTS
In the months of April and May, community health workers in Ekondo Titi engaged over 600 persons in the community. These services included the treatment of uncomplicated common infections/diseases through the provision of essential drugs, referral of complicated cases, immunization of children, proper nutrition for children <5 years, maternal health promotion and sensitization for health promotion. Further details on the activities of CHW in Ekondo-Titi are expounded below.
1. PRIMARY HEALTHCARE PROVISION In the months of April and May, community health workers in Ekondo Titi provided primary health care services to 451 people (276 males and 175 females) of the vulnerable population in Kitta. These services included treatment of simple malaria (179 people; 100 males and 79 females), simple diarrhea (85 people: 35 males and 50 females) and simple acute respiratory tract infection (7 people: 4 males and 3 females). For maternal care, 10 newly identified pregnant women were referred to health facilities for ANC, 39 pregnant women were provided with ferrous folate and 20 caregivers were provided with newborn kits.
2. SENSITISATION FOR HEALTH PROMOTION In the months of April and May, CHWs mobilized and engaged their communities in health educative talks for health promotion during home visits and community gatherings. The most attended educational talk sessions were on malaria and the use of LLNS (741 persons), proper latrine use (707 persons) and A.R.I prevention (687 persons).
3. SCREENING FOR SEVERE ACUTE MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN <5 YEARS.The CHWs in Ekodo-titi screened 202 children < years for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) using a MUAC tape. One male was diagnosed with SAM without complications and 30 caregivers were sensitized on appropriate giving for children <5 years
CHALLENGES AND PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
- The insecurity in Ekondo-Titi continues. A Palm Oil truck was attacked by NSAGs around Kitta leaving 2 victims dead by Firearms. CHWs were advised to stay in their homes until the effect of the incident had passed on.
- No mobile network in Kitta Balue has temporarily hindered the CHW from sending in the last half of bi-monthly reports for May.
CONCLUSIONThe persistence of the Anglophone crisis in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon has dealt dire consequences in Ekondo-titi. Notwithstanding the insecurity, CHWs in Kitta supported by the GlobalGiving crowdfunding platform provided primary health care services to 451 persons, sensitized over 600 persons for health promotion, screened 202 children for severe acute malnutrition and identified one SAM case without complications. The people of Kitta Nalende and Balue extend their sincere gratitude to the GlobalGiving crowdfund for supporting 2 CHWs to provide primary health care services and health promotion activities
Success Stories
1. Safe delivery of Twins.
During the distribution of Ferrous Folate to pregnant women in the Nalende, the CHW realised that a 19-year-old pregnant mother with multiple pregnancies was approaching her due date for delivery. After sensitization on the importance of delivery conducted by a skilled health facility staff over traditional homes, she agreed to be referred to a higher health facility in Ekondi-tit for skilled delivery. She followed the CHW to Ekondo-Titi and 3 days later went into labor. This mother put to bed twins by C-section. All are currently in good health and are grateful to the CHW for his prompt response.
2. NO MATERNAL DEATH TODAY!!
During home visits in Balue, The CHW of Balue identified a pregnant woman who had previously been referred to begin ANC at a higher health facility in Ekondo-titi. This pregnant woman was also sensitized on the importance of delivery conducted by a skilled health facility staff and agreed to the referral.
On her due date, she expressed symptoms of preeclampsia which was properly managed by the skilled health facility staff. She put to bed a baby girl by C-section. Both mother and daughter are in good health
Links: