In January 2023, Pilgrim Africa successfully and sustainably transitioned iCCM over to The Aids Support Organization (TASO) and the Communication for Development Foundation Uganda! (CDFU).
The transition focused on addressing these main areas of concern:
- getting reports from the VHTs on a timely basis,
- raising VHT wages to minimize drop outs,
- continuing quarterly supervision,
- promoting Family Based Health care practices to help the often overwhelmed clinics, and
- increasing capacity at health facilities for construction of Malaria Normal channels, which refers to the normal seasonal pattern of malaria in an area beyond which helps with early response once a malaria outbreak is detected.
This session allowed for a successful handover allowing for continued quality care for patients.
As transition began, one activity remained as a conclusion to this program. That was the first monthly supervision of iCCM VHTs by health facility staff.
The largest part of the training and supervision focused on improving proper usage of Sick Child Job Aid (SCJA), case management of sick children, and the importance of identifying danger signs for referral by the Village Health Teams (VHTs) in their communities. Much emphasis was put on the importance of counseling caregivers on how to care for a newborn and for sick children at home by the VHTs and utilization of checklists for clinical sessions and notebooks.
A huge thank you to MPI, World Vision, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and all of you. Because of these collaborative efforts, all caretakers of children under 5 in Katakwi now have access to prompt, lifesaving diagnoses and treatments for malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Thank you for helping to end severe illness and death from malaria!
“For we are God’s co-workers;
you are God’s field, God’s building.”