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.
