Community Health Volunteers: Impacting the Health of Their Community Through Assessment, Intervention, and Follow-up
Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) help to connect community members to the formal health system. They provide health benefits to individuals and communities. Since CHVs are often members of the communities they serve, and rural communities typically have strong community connections, they are helping when linking the healthcare system and the community members. The CHVs can identify health issues in the community and refer them to healthcare providers. The following stories share how critical CHVs are in rural communities.
In Thigaa community health unit, CHV Bonface Kaaria met 12-year-old Mwaki during his regular household visit. Mwaki was suffering from a severe cough which had led him to temporarily drop out of school. Mwaki had been suffering for more than a year. His mother had sought treatment from nearby health facilities, but his health was not improving. The CHV referred him to the Village HopeCore office clinic. His mother brought him to the clinic where he was treated with the appropriate medications. After two months, the CHV conducted a follow-up visit at the household and found out that Mwaki was well and had returned to school.
The CHVs who work with HopeCore are constantly in their communities assessing the health and needs of the villagers. Examples like the one above, happen almost every week as the CHVs know their community members and are able to help them find more appropriate medical care if needed.
Bonface Kaaria conducting health education
You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you ~ John Bunyan
This quote is what drives community health volunteer Evangeline Kagendo from Thigaa CU. During her regular household visit, Kagendo met 18-year-old Gatwiri. Both Gatwiri and her mother are intellectually challenged. The CHV noticed that the girl was pregnant, but due to her disability, she could not confirm. She referred her to Kiairugu dispensary. Still, they could not ascertain the delivery time. She had to be taken to Magutuni sub-county hospital for an ultrasound. Evangeline mobilized extended members of the family, who raised a significant amount of money for her upkeep and the cost required for her delivery.
Last week Gatwiri delivered a healthy baby girl at Magutuni Subcounty Hospital. One community member volunteered to stay with her since her family is very needy and cannot afford to take care of her and the newborn. The CHV, together with our Community Health Officer, Monica Wanja visited the household and educated the caregiver on how to take care of the infant. The CHV will be doing follow-ups.
How Village HopeCore is Touching People’s Lives by Taking Health Services to Them
A child getting treated at a Village based MCH
Village HopeCore’s Village-based Maternal Child Health clinics are designed to enable women and children to receive health services in their villages. The clinics focus on the preventive and curative services offered to the mother and the under-five children at Home. Among the services provided are antenatal care services, child wellness and treatment services, and family planning. Community health field officers liaise with CHVs to mobilize expectant mothers, children below five years, and their parents to come to these clinics. Sometimes, other community members attend these clinics since HopeCore services are regarded highly by the community members.
Community health nurse James Mwenda during a village-based MCH
How our services have impacted our community
Most of those who have received treatment services from our mobile clinics or office clinic have been impressed with our services. According to a survey conducted last year, up to 66% of our new clients at the office clinic got recommendations from friends and former clients. For instance, during a village-based Maternal Child Health Clinic (MCH) in Ikumbo community unit, a 50-year-old lady attended the clinic. The lady had a massive wound on her leg. She had visited many hospitals, including Chuka and Meru level five hospitals, but the problem persisted for a long time. Community health nurse James Mwenda recommended the kind of treatment that she required and advised her on the medication she needed. The area CHV Padolla Gakii conducted a follow-up visit to her household, and the lady had taken the medication that James had recommended, and she was well. The wound had healed and only a tiny scar was remaining. The lady was very impressed by Village HopeCore services in the community and was thankful.
If you would like to read more about Community Health Volunteers, please check out:
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