Rural health depends on Health Caregivers
In 1992, Dr. Delia and Mark Owens began the first Rural Health Program as part of their multi-dimensional wildlife conservation program in North Luangwa, Zambia. Since that time the Owenses and Hammer Simwinga's Foundation have trained scores of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA's) to meet the basic medical needs of the remote villages. TBA's educated their fellow villagers in health matters ranging from nutrition, sanitation and hygiene to HIV/AIDS Prevention and Family Planning.
These highly respected women are now called Health Caregivers and are registered and affiliated with a Zambian Northern District Association called Caregiver District Alliance.
Most of Hammer's Health Caregivers are now operating at health care facilities and hospitals. Mrs. Chibuli, one of the first TBAs trained by the Owenses in the early 1990's, is still very active at Chilonga Mission Hospital located in the Zambian Northern District.
These Health Caregivers are becoming more involved in counseling and the HIV Care Program as well as providing support to vulnerable children and the terminally sick within the community. They are also monitoring pregnancies and providing referrals to hospitals for pregnant women.
A mobile clinic
In 2008 Hammer’s Foundation received a grant from the Owens Foundation for Wildlife Conservation to fund a Mobile Clinic housed in a heavy duty Unimog truck that is equipped with surgery equipment, X-ray, lab, air conditioning and dentistry equipment. Funding is always needed for truck fuel, tires and maintenance.
FWHC provided a refresher course for 20 Health Caregivers (TBAs) in February 2013.
Update from hammer:
FWHC received a grant from Africare Zambia (KR17,777.76) in 2013 to conduct a capacity building training for 20 Rural Healthcare Givers. By the end of the Community Health Care trainings, the Care Givers had identified and registered 90 orphans who needed psycho-social counseling and other medical and physical needs.
In addition, 24 youths were trained as Peer Educators in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Awareness. The trainings were for 15 days, from 11th February to 25th February, 2013. The trainings were conducted in the village. This helped the training facilitators to have a hands-on practical experience in the village.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING NEEDS:
Good progress has been made; however, more Health Caregivers are needed. Rural Health Programs that need funding include:
Conduct training for 40 community Health Care Givers in 4 villages in Mukungule Chiefdom by the end of December 2013.
COST: = US $2,251
Conduct 4 trainings in Alcohol and Drug Abuse awareness among 300 youth in Mukungule Chiefdom.
COST: = US $1,690
Conduct sensitization meetings on male circumcision and HIV prevention in 6 villages.
COST: = US $1,500
