By: Haruna Kuyate
The Village Health Workers Association of North Bank West Health Region recently organized a daylong meeting to discuss and map out ways of strengthening Primary Health Care Services.
The meeting formed part of the association’s commitment to galvanizing efforts towards attaining quality health care, noting that Primary Health Care plays an important role in preventing disease or enhancing effectiveness and inclusivity.
The forum brought together 119 members from Lower and Upper Nuimi and Jokadu and was held on Saturday, July 19 2024, in Ndungu Kebbeh, Lower North Bank Region.
Tamsir J. Corr, Chairman of the Village Health Workers Association, and Amat A. Faye Secretary General spoke on the significance of the establishment of the association in 2022, saying it aimed at promoting mutual understanding, networking, and communication towards promoting Primary Health Care Services.
They said the association has committed greatly to working with CHNs in providing much-needed services to the communities.
They disclosed that TB has dropped drastically within the health region. They also call for better incentives, regular supplies of essential drugs and capacity enhancement.
Sainey Camara, Community Health Nurse Tutor at Essau Health Region commended the association for the foresight, noting that it would contribute to promoting good working relationships between Community Health Nurses (CHNS) and the communities that they serve.
He noted that the Ministry of Health and its partners have committed themselves to reviving and strengthening village health services, building human resources on the provision of essential drugs, improving health and sanitation, and most importantly advocating timely bookings for antenatal services and treatment or referral of patients to health facilities.
He disclosed that the government through the Ministry of Health and partners would construct health posts for each Primary Health Care village to enhance effective service delivery.
CHN Tutor Camara stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in advancing the mandate of primary health care services and to promote the prevention of diseases through concerted efforts of collaborative action with Village Development Committees.
According to him, the Ministry of Health will continue to roll out more capacity development for village health workers on their roles and responsibilities, with the ultimate objective of providing proper treatment and care.
Commenting on allowances, Camara disclosed that the Ministry of Health is working to place Village Health Workers Association staff on payroll while urging VHWs staff to provide correct names and Q Cell numbers, saying all payments as of now will be done through Qmoney.
He tasked VHWs to be proactive in proper data collection and reporting to CHNs, as this helps to analyze disease prevalence and community responsiveness to health care services.
He further disclosed that the Ministry of Health recently supplied weighing scales, mobile phones, timers, thermometers, bags, hand sanitizers, and cupboards.
He noted that the health policy advocates for 5 KM access to service and calls for collaborative efforts towards the attainment of quality health care.
Essa Keita, Community Health Nurse at Samba Kala circuit reiterated the need for the concerted effort of Village Health Workers to strengthen health care service for all.
He urged VHWs that their work is not only limited to drugs but includes regular cleansing exercises, home visits, and referral of patients with health conditions to the nearest health facilities.
CHN Keita alluded to the fact that there is a need for stronger social behavioral change communication to promote adherence and effective implementation of health-related programs.
He noted that proper record keeping is essential and therefore all TB cases should be referred to and documented.
