People in Block G, they are so many, around 2000 families! They have a very difficult problem, about their general health, and through the help of FORGE and this new Health Project, they are able to gain more advice to improve their health. This area has no clinic, with no one employed to facilitate information to the community from the health sector.
Especially with information about le SIDA or, HIV/AIDS, this has been our focus this month. People do not know to abstain or think that the virus can even be spread by mosquitoes. They do not know how to be able to recognize the causes and symptoms of certain preventable diseases, or what to do to treat someone who is already infected with any kind of illness. Refugee Health Services was renovated and opened by FORGE in March to help educate people about ways they can know their health status and improve their health in this remote community that is a vast distance from the clinic. In general we help them to become aware about HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, dehydration, respiratory disease, and many more.
People are still giving many thanks to FORGE and its Refugee Health Service for their project which is allowing them to be aware about the impact of some of the diseases which are affecting the Block G community. Thank you to FORGE for helping us live in good health.
By Gerardine Mujawimana
This project became operational in the second week of March. There was an immediate and overwhelming demand for the services provided, which Gerardine handled with a great deal of finesse. Please see FHS report for meetings attended jointly by RHS and FHS staffs.
The advocate position has still not been filled because the Block G chairman has been traveling to and from Lusaka this month and does not believe the three interviewed candidates (Angolans from Blocks B and C) he has met with will be able to properly communicate with patients at the center. Three additional candidates have been interviewed in Block G, but two of those candidates are unable to speak English, and one will not work for the 100,000zmk/month salary. If no alternative is found in the next few weeks, an Angolan advocate who has already been interviewed (and is well qualified) will be hired, despite community hesitation (please advise).
Future activities: Preventative health education activities will commence as soon as an advocate is available to assist the Coordinator in carrying out these responsibilities. Substantial problems or issues: See staff hiring comments above. Also see FHS report regarding suspension of drug distribution. This is a particularly acute problem in Block G, where there is no clinic in a 12km radius and patients have been vocally opposed to and disappointed by the drug suspension and believe this reflects poorly on FORGE since the service opened just three weeks ago and is already halting operations. I have asked Geraldine to begin conducting health sensitizations at the center in the meantime. Indicators and statistics: See M&E spreadsheet attached. Attached separately is the Coordinator’s monthly report form which specifies the types of cases we handled this month and the number of medicines distributed. Because there were over 430 patients, I have not compiled the full list of patients, symptoms/diagnosis, and subsequent treatments. Please let me know if you found that to be valuable for FHS in Block C and I will go ahead and do the same for this project if necessary. Budget: See expense monitor. Wishes or requests: Would like to speak with the Outreach Director regarding medicine distribution suspension and discuss options for alternative solutions for concerns regarding liability, MoH permission, or other problems. By Sabah KhanSummary of project status:
Extensive building repair and construction of the RHS project site was completed this month. All furniture, medicines, and supplies have been purchased and delivered to the project. The Nurse and Coordinator position has been filled by Geraldine, a Rwandese woman who brings over 15 years of certified nursing experience to the project. Geraldine shadowed Pierre, the FHS coordinator for several days in late February and is well trained and oriented to begin work at RHS in March. All curriculums, schedules, and forms have been prepared and shared with the new Coordinator.
The advocate position has not yet been filled, but three applicants have been interviewed.
Future activities:
The Block Chairman has been out of town and is scheduled to interview the best candidate for the Advocate position in the first week of March. The project will commence on March 4th.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Sabah KhanSummary of project status:
Nearly all of the building supplies have been purchased and will be delivered to Block G in the first week of February. The community in anxious for construction to begin now that the rains are less severe.
The slated panel for interviewing the nurse and project coordinator have all met with the only candidate, Geraldine, and have approved hiring her after the PM and FHS nurse formally interview her.
The PM submitted written materials for the Youth Venture Award and met with Antoine to discuss his scheduled phone call with the panel.
Future activities:
Antoine hopes to speak with Zeba soon before talking with panel.
Construction of the building will begin next month, and candidates for the nurse position will be formally interviewed.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Sabah KhanSummary of project status:
While trying to purchase building reconstruction supplies this month, I discovered that the projected costs provided to me by Antoine were significantly lower than the actual prices for almost all of the materials. I met with the contractor (who is Alphonse, the Goat Monitor for Dufatanye) to review the proposal again and he also identified a few additional necessary supplies that were left out of the proposed budget. Furthermore, the quotes provided to me by Antoine were supposed to have included the cost of labor, but Alphonse informed me that the cost of his labor will be an additional 400,000zmk.
This month my sister donated in-kind supplies to the new FHS project, including linens, scales, medicines, office supplies, and stationary.
Future activities:
Antoine and I are meeting to reconstruct the budget and assess whether the higher costs of the building reconstruction will be off set by the savings from the supplies provided by my sister.
Substantial problems or issues:
See budget and building cost information above.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Sabah KhanSummary of project status:
The proposal for this project has been submitted to and approved by UNHCR in Solwezi. An action plan for grant funding by Youth Venture was completed and funding was secured. Many thanks to Alyssa, Annelisa, and all who helped make this possible.
Future activities:
A community meeting is being held in December to present the proposal to Block G residents.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None.
By Sabah Khan
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