Worker

Started in September of 2006, one of the EAC’s most effective programs is the Community Health Worker program. Extensively trained, our 8 Community Health Workers go door-to-door in the community, referring patients to our clinic, and sharing health and medical knowledge. The CHWs share information about pit latrine construction, safe food handling practices, safe drinking water, general sanitation and hygiene, and how to prevent malaria. They also see pre- and post-natal clients at the client’s home, and refer them to the clinic or hospital if needed.

The CHWs contribute to our outreach days, traveling with our nurse and free drugs from the government clinic to offer treatment and education to people in areas without proper medical services. The CHWs also hold a twice-monthly growth monitoring event, weighing and assessing the health of children under 5 in the community. In 2008, the CHWs saw 2341 children for growth monitoring services, offering the mothers tips on keeping their children healthy, and referring underweight children to our clinic. The CHWs also run a nutrition clinic each month in a different village, teaching mothers how to make a nutritious porridge to feed their children, using local supplies like sorghum, millet, peanuts, and oranges.

Our CHWs receive ongoing training from our nurse so that they stay updated on the most current health information available. The CHWs have also started attending the district hospital’s free trainings, and we are working in conjunction with the Kenyan governments Community Health Worker plan. Our goal is to further train our CHWs and eventually expand these services to more underserved areas by training new CHWs.