“MOTHERS & CHILDREN FIRST“

Given that human resource for health is a critical pillar for a well-functioning health system, and given the alarmingly low ratio of healthcare professionals to patients in Napak district, the first strategy is to increase and build capacity for human resources in the health sector:

• Health workers at MH will be provided with knowledge and skills about common medical conditions in their catchment area through serial Continuous Medical Education (CMEs);  

• 25 girls will receive education bursaries to pursue certificate courses in nursing and midwifery;

• Over 1000 health workers will receive in-service training;

• 12 of them receiving training in result-based and project management;

• 20 VHT coordinators and over 600 VHTs will be trained in quality healthcare management;

• 105 healthcare professionals in lower health facilities will receive specialised training in neonatal resuscitation and obstetric emergency handling;

• The selected parish chiefs, active women, and community change agents will receive training in community hygiene and sanitation management and strategic decision-making.

In the current maternal and infant health project, we are already increasing the number of professionally trained nurses and midwives in the district: 21 young people will soon get their certificate as nurse or midwife. Good training of the student nurses and midwives from MH school of nursing and midwifery is a key factor contributing to a reduction of infant and maternal mortality rate. In effect, the hospital staff and those at the lower-level health units were trained at the nursing school.

The number of mothers in the Napak district who have access to Comprehensive Emergence Obstetrics and Newborn Care will increase:

• Through mobile clinics in hard-to-reach areas. The project intends to continue and extend the work of the current maternal and child health project in Poron by offering additional services. The project will also extend its scope to include a new hard-to-reach area.

• During referrals, the project will include the lifting of pregnant mothers with complications from lower health facilities for further management in comprehensive emergency obstetric care.

• By providing a free ambulance service to the pregnant mothers and assuring them to have a safe delivery under the supervision of a skilled birth personnel or doctor at MH.

• By making available supplies and drugs, which are sometimes unavailable at the facilities. 

Even this strategy is based on the experience and the extraordinary results of the current project.

• One of the key components of the project is to manufacture and distribute concrete slabs for the construction of termite-resistant pit latrines, children and mothers in households that will receive sanitation facilities will benefit from improved sanitation.  

• Parish chiefs will receive hygiene and sanitation management training to streamline hygiene and sanitation practices and sustain project accomplishments.

• The project will also provide sanitary towels and soap to vulnerable girls in Napak district, and community change agents will be trained in the production of reusable sanitary pads to ensure a sustainable supply even after the project has ended.