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New community health work in Kullu Distric, Himachal Pradesh, North India. |
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Setting
India, South Asia (Indian subcontinent) |
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Issue
Community |
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Type
motivation or facilitation |
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Where we were before this tool was used
Dr Kaaren Mathias (on behalf of the Jibhi CHAI team, Lady Willingdon Hospital, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA) wrote:
We are a christian NGO based in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh in North India. This year our programme which as had a focus on primary care and rural surgery has branched out to a community health programme. We are setting up a community health worker training programme.
Our bigger programme is called Jibhi CHAI – Community Health Action Initiative. We are based in a remote rural area which is several hours drive to a hospital. And we do also drink a lot of sweet milky chai!
http://www.manalihospital.com/
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Where the tool came from
Our course is based on the Hindi version of “Where there is no doctor” by Bill Werner. Most will be taught by other health workers from Himachal Pradesh although of course the doctors are itching to be allowed to do some teaching too! |
How the tool was implemented
We have spent much of this year visiting villages and building relationships. What has also been useful is working with an NGO –SAHARA (Society for the Advancement of Hilly Rural Areas) based in a neighbouring valley, which has already got a good network and community organisation. Of interest the women chosen as health workers from this valley are prepared to contribute substantially to their training. Villages from the valley we work in are also choosing health workers.
We are excited about using our operating theatre which is used only occasionally as the Community Kitchen during the 3 weeks of training. The male ward is being turned into a training room and we are busy in these weeks before the course with puppet making, and other teaching aids! One of the biggest things we feel is to make the course interactive, fun, using stories and practical examples – much of our own education has been very boring lectures with lists to memorise. So lists are banned from this training course. |
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What we learned
We’re on a big learning curve and found it very useful last month to visit other community health projects in nearby states. So we’re keen to get hints or resources useful for training from others. |
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