Posted by Agya Poudyal
[Below is the Community Health Worker (CHW) update from Bayalpata Hospital for the month of Bhadra, as well as a story relating the experiences of CHWs in the field.]
1. Community Health Worker (CHW) Data for the Month of Bhadra:
Three new categories have been introduced in this month’s table: [1] new pregnancy, [2] new birth, and [3] death.
Click image to view data spreadsheet.
2. Program Development and Expansion:
Community Health Worker Ganga didi presenting during the Saturday teaching session in Janalikot.
We have planned to expand our CHW and Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) programs to the neighboring Village Development Committees (VDCs). We have just started to contact the health-posts and are working on organizing the expansion process. Ideally, we are hoping to expand to five VDCs. More updates will be shared as we move ahead in this regard.
3. Activities:The German International Cooperation (GIZ) Documentary team, consisting of Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) Coordinator Sushmita Malla and Dilbhushan Pathak, a leading documentary
Community Health Worker Pabitra didi on the way to Hattikot during the monsoon season.
maker in Achham, were here last week to shoot a documentary. They followed our CHW program for two days and shot in different locations in Bayalpata. They also filmed the Friday CHW training session, and the community meeting on Saturday. We are hoping that the film will be ready by the end of October.
[Below is also a story regarding the experiences of CHWs in the field.]
Acceptance of the Community Health Workers
During a recent meeting with the CHWs in Chandika, Dilbhushan dai from the GIZ documentary team thanked our FCHVs/CHWs for playing a major role in reducing the infant mortality index of Nepal. The FCHVs/CHWs gave him a blank look at first—not because they didn’t understand what he was saying, but because it took time for his words to sink into their stomachs. In a few seconds, I saw them smile like never before. His words came as a surprise to them because rarely do people give the FCHVs words of acceptance for the work they have done, let alone voice their thanks.
Community Health Worker Leaders during their weekly Friday meeting in Teej.
Acknowledgment of a CHW’s work comes as real encouragement for dealing with the moments when she is turned away from homes. It cheers her up for moments when she is told that she doesn’t know anything. It gives her courage for the moments when she is mocked. And for moments when her years of experience are not respected, a word of thanks is all it takes to give her confidence.
Appreciate a CHW and let her forget all the less-than-lukewarm receptions. Thank her and let her forget the moments she was ignored. Let her remember the times when she is called for a pregnant woman’s labor. Remind her of the times when she is asked how many times a day a child should be given an oral rehydration solution. Remind her how mothers come to ask for her opinion about which steps should be taken next for their children’s treatment. A word of praise is all that it takes to remind her how important she is.
I am indifferent to people who underestimate the importance of the FCHVs. But I very much care for the several “Dilbhushan dais” who remind them of how important they are. Let the FCHVs feel dignified for what they are doing. Let them forget being mocked, even if only for a day. Let them be at ease. Let them be encouraged more and corrected less. Let them be thanked. Let them feel accepted.
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Agya Poudyal is the Community Health Director at Bayalpata Hospital. She graduated with an MA in International Relations.
Tags: Achham, Agya Poudyal, Bayalpata, Bayalpata Hospital, CHW, Community Health Worker, Far West, FCHV, Female Community Health Volunteer, global development, global health, global health delivery, Health, healthcare, Logistics, Nepal, NGO, Nyaya, Nyaya Health, partnership, rural health, rural healthcare, rural life, rural nepal
