Provide healthcare to remote displaced communities

1.0 Background

The socio-political crisis in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon has since 2018 deteriorated into a humanitarian crisis with devastating effects on the healthcare system in the regions. Vulnerable communities in these regions experience attacks on healthcare ranging from the forceful confiscation of medical supplies to the death of medical personnel. This has caused health personnel to desert their health facilities and/or communities for safety leaving the resident population in vulnerable communities to endure the menace of violence, injury and communicable diseases. 

GlobalGiving has presented Reach Out Cameroon with a crowdfunding platform where amazing donors have been able to provide donations to provide relief for the deplorable healthcare services provided in conflict-affected communities through government-assigned community health workers (CHWs) in Ekondo-Titi health district and mobile clinic (MC) in Buea health district. These CHWs are providing primary health care services (PHCs) and referral services to the people of the most vulnerable communities in need. For this period of reporting, the vulnerable host communities selected from these health districts were Kitta and Tole.

2.0 Objectives 2.1 Project Goal

To support two (2) CHWs in Kitta and a Mobile Clinic in Tole to provide free primary healthcare services to those in need and perform surveillance on diseases prone to outbreaks in Kitta and Tole.

2.2 Specific Project Objectives

• Treatment of acute respiratory tract infections.
• Treatment of uncomplicated malaria.
• Screening and treatment of malnutrition in children without complications.
• Treatment of skin infections without complications.
• Provision of Vitamin A and Albendazole to children.
• Distribution of perinatal multivitamins to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• Distribution of aqua tabs.
• Referral of complicated cases for proper case management.
• Referral of pregnant women to higher health facilities for ANC.
• Referral of SAM cases to higher health facilities for proper case management.
• Health Sensitization of community members on prevailing health problems.
• Identification, referral and follow-up of unvaccinated cases.
• Weekly reporting of activities.
• Surveillance for measle outbreak.

3.0 Results. 

The results for the period July 2021 - September 2021 are summarized and tabulated in the attached report below.

 4.0 Challenges

1. Insecurity

Frequent gun-shots, violence, armed military raids, lockdowns, and death have left host communities with the option of retreating to the bushes for refuge. This has greatly reduced their access to health care services provided by the CHW and vice versa.

1. Stock-out malaria RDT from Drug Fund

The Drug fund has been the supplier of drugs and medical supplies used in this project at relatively subsidized prices. Recently the drug fund has experienced a stock-out of mRDTs and Artesunate/amodiaquine for over 3 months. Other suppliers provide these supplies at a 110% increase of the price offered by the drug fund. This situation was managed by the Management of the implementing organization, Reach Out who authorized the disbursement of funds to procure these supplies at a considerable price.

• Remote_Communities_Health_promotion_project__July__September_2021_report.pdf (PDF)