Zahn Gounla is one of 17 communities benefitting from the first Community Case Management of Malaria program approved by the Ministry of Health in rural Nimba County since the 1990 war. Chosen because of it challenging distance from the nearest clinic, community members have to cross the Yah river in a canoe and walk another 4 hours distance, to seek curative health services.
Equip Liberia, in partnership with USAID and the Ministry of Heatlh, launched the pilot training of 21 general Community Health Volunteers (gCHV) in September 2010. (CHA’s) Community selected gCHVs have an average 7th grade education, requiring trainings to be simple, where necessary translated into dialect and with much time given to demonstration, practice and role plays.
Malaria is very common in Liberia.
It constitutes about 35% of outpatient consultations.
It is estimated that there are 4-5 malaria episodes annually in children aged 0-5 years. (LIMIS 2008).
Since the gCHVs serve deeply rural areas, their competency is carefully evaluated before being given the tools to confirm malaria through RDTs (Rapid Diagnostic Tests) and given the medicine to treat the under 5 population in their community.
Community sensitization on the issues of prevention is also an important function of the gCHV. Counseling of mothers and caregivers on early health care seeking behavior, regular use of Insecticide Treated Nets, proper compliance to medicine regime and follow-up are key responsibilities of gCHV.
Story contributed by Audry Waines, Equip Liberia
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