Primary Health Care

In June 2009, we took over the management of the "Home and Community Based Carer Programme" (previously known as nompilos). This is a government sponsored initiative and we are working closely with the Department of Health to implement it.

We supervise 133 HCBCs; 72 working with Mosvold Hospital and the other 61 working with Bethesda Hospital. Their work ivolves linking community members in the target area with health resources and services by:

• Collecting and distributing information to contribute to health promotion and the improved health of the target area.
• Facilitation of community health needs assessments with health care users, community members in the target area, health care providers and community organisations
• Provision of home visits to assess medical and social needs, provide pregnancy support, educate about family planning, sexually transmitted diseases, women and child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse and treat minor ailments.
• Referral of clients needing home based care, clinic visits, social support etc.
• Provision of counseling services on HIV, TB and grief.
• Provision of directly observed TB treatment (DOTS).
• Assist with Department of Health Campaigns e.g. immunisation, Vitamin A, cholera

This programme clearly links with our Home Based Care programme as well as being a way of identifying orphans and vulnerable children. However, there is a post freeze due to Dept Health overspending, so whenever a HCBC resigns, they are not replaced and this has left significant gaps in this service delivery.
At Mosvold Hospital, there are 4 HCBC facilitators who are employed to supervise and liaise with the HCBC. At Bethesda Hospital there are none! We have therefore promoted 5 of our senior home based carers to become supervisors.