By: Haruna Kuyateh
Fass Omar Saho has inaugurated rehabilitated Community Heath Post through result based financing of Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health Result Project (MCHHRP)
Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health Result Project MCNHRP aim to increase the utilization of community nutrition and primary maternal and child health services in selected regions of The Gambia using a combination of supply and demand sides of the RBF approach. The project became effective on the 20th May 2014 and will run up to end of July 2021.
To achieve the expected improvement in health and nutrition outcomes this project will prioritize selected interventions directly linked to the reduction of maternal and child under-nutrition, morbidity, mortality and food insecurity. Interventions will focus on strengthening community structures and the Primary Health Care (PHC) system to enhance the quality and quantity of services by empowering individual women, communities (including community groups) and front line health workers to improve uptake, participation, ownership, caring practices and accountability for maternal and child health, food and nutrition security.
This project will support activities aimed at improving service delivery and utilization as well as knowledge and behaviours to improve maternal and child health, and nutrition. Innovative aspects of this project are the combined use of RBF approaches on the demand- and supply-sides as opposed to input based financing and at the community and PHC levels to improve health and nutrition outcomes.
Speaking at the inauguration of Community Health Post courtesy to Result Based Financing of MCHNRP implemented by NaNA, Ebrima Njie Chairman of Fass Omar Saho Village Development Committee of Upper Nuimi in the North Bank Region commended the effort of Maternal and Child Nutrition and Health Result Project MCNHRP under the Result Based Financing.
He said inauguration of Ya Isatou Nyang Community Health Post with the support from MCNHRP Result Based Financing RBF component, revealing that the project has enhanced participatory community involvement to promote hygiene, sanitation and waste disposal and management to improve health.
Alpha Mballow NaNa Nutrition Field Officer at Essau Health noted that the objective is to increase the utilization of community nutrition and primary maternal and child health services in selected regions of The Gambia by using a combination of supply and demand sides of the Result Based Financing approach.
He commended the Village Development Committee for proper management of subside provided by the project, citing the rehabilitation of community health post to strengthen health care services as achievement.
He noted that the implementation of the project has promote early booking of pregnant woman to health facility, hand washing, establishment of dumpsite and reduction of childhood disease.
Alagie K Saho Pakau ward councilor and Baboucarr Saho Alkalo commended high level of community participation.
The duo further commended that village support group for raising awareness on positive health seeking behavior.
Deputizing the NAM for Upper Nuimi Kabiro Jatta applauded the VDC for the rehabilitation of health post through effective financial management of project subsides.
Malamin IL Bojang Chairman of Kerewan Area Council noted that rehabilitation of health post complement council development effort. He said that the work enable the VDC to create employment for youths and calls on community to support VDC to attain sustainable development.
Kebba Bah Community Development Assistant reiterated that Department of Community Office are proud of the performance of the community in fulfillment of project indicators of which each has a price to motivate communities to work in improving health and wellbeing.