Clare Nsenga

WELCOME TO CLARE NSENGA OFFICIAL WEBSITE

SENSTIZATION OF 6 VILLAGE HEALTH TEAM (VHT) MEMBERS AT
CLARE NSENGA HEALTH CENTRE

Introduction

Since Uganda’s independence in 1962, successive governments planned and implemented health related programmes aimed at improving quality of life and development. Overall health indicators remained relatively low, characterized by low immunization coverage, poor access to safe water, low latrine coverage and high mortality and morbidity rates. As stipulated in the health policy (HP) and health strategic plan (HSSP), there is need for community mobilization and empowerment.

VHT was recommended as a strategy for community empowerment and mobilization for health and endorsed by the 6th Joint review mission to bridge the gap between the current health service providers and the households. It is a people centred health team, formed by people at the village level (LC I). It strengthens and coordinates the delivery of health services in the community. It augments the efforts of trained health workers and other extension staff.

Under Clare Nsenga Health Unit catchment area there has been functional VHTs. However, recently in November 2009 six (06) VHTs were reselected to be resensitized in general and special areas so as to mitigate the current burden of disease especially the primitive culture of crude tonsil mutilation.

The 6 VHT members sensitized are,
1) Ingabire Christine
2) Kanyange Afia
3) Nyirakwizera Phiadora
4) Kazungu Gregory
5) Iyakaremye Augustine
6) Ntegeyimisi Lauben

The duration of the training was 2 months (November and December 2009). This is going to be followed by real sensitization in 9 villages of Rutale and Nyakabingo parishes and is expected to take 8 months. Angello Harera and Saforoza will follow them up as they sensitize communities in these villages. They are expected to report at the end of every month.

At the Centre Mercy Ministry provided funds to purchase a Motorcycle to help transport the Health Workers at Clare Nsenga Health Centre. Mercy Ministry also provided funds for electrification and piped water in the Health Centre.

The training objectives were;

1) To increase early health care seeking behavior in the community
2) To strengthen the linkage between the health facilities and households.
3) To promote community participation and involvement in local health activities and programmes.
The overall expected outcome is mitigated burden of disease and improved health.

The above objectives were achieved during the training by the way of the following topics,

1) Overview of VHTs
2) Community diagnosis
3) Community organization
4) Community sensitization
5) Community mobilization
6) Primary health care (PHC)
7) Health and development
8) Mental health
9) HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections
10) Communication
11) Self reliance
12) Diarrhea diseases including Dysentery
13) Tuberculosis (TB)
14) Malaria
15) Tonsillitis and tonsil mutilation
16) Maternal & child health Including immunization and Family planning
17) Nutrition
18) Measles
19) Counseling
20) Developing a work plan
21) Report writing
22) Hygiene

These VHTs will cover parts of 2 parishes (Nyakabingo & Rutale) in the following villages.

Name of VHT Member	Allocated village(s)	Parish
Ingabire Christine	Gahuru	Rutare
Kanyange Afia	Rwankoni	Nyakabingo
Nyirakwizera Phiadora	Kirimiro & Nyamigenda	Rutale
Kazungu Gregory	Kanyamicucu & Kabira	Rutale
Iyakaremye Augustine	Rukoro	Nyakabingo
Ntegeyimisi Lauben	Gahinga & Bihanga	Nyakabingo

The above were handed over six bicycles purchased with financial support from Mercy Ministry.

From the above, it can be noted that 9 villages from 2 parishes are going to be sensitized on a number of health issues.

Tailoring and knitting project:

Student Learning Tailoring

One of the Students Learning how to knit

Tailoring and knitting projects are also in progress.
We have 2 instructors and they are;
1) Nyiramugsha Imelda who is an instructor for Knitting project and
2) Maniraguha Jenifer who is an instructor for tailoring project.

They have been training for the last 2 months and the training for each inset is projected to take 4 months. The learners keep swapping such that at the end of their training they know both Tailoring and knitting.
The learners are;
1) Zaninka Rose Mary
2) Nyiramutuzo Oliver
3) Ingabire Florence
4) Kampire Anonciata

6 January 2010