Action For Health : Empowering Communities in Mali

In the past year, Mali Health has focused on further improving the already significant impact of its programs.  In Action for Health, this meant training our Community Health Workers (CHWs) in new communication methodologies to improve their skills in adult education and behavior change.  Since the training, we’ve seen more families adopting the healthy behaviors they discuss with their CHW.  

According to Adama K., Coordinator of the Department of Communications & Public Affairs, the greatest achievement this year has been the increase in the number of women giving birth in health centers.  In 2014, 107 women in our Action for Health program gave birth at the clinic, compared to 78 women in 2013.  

Our CHWs are a vital link between our partner communities and the health system, encouraging families to seek professional care at local clinics when they need it.  Moustaph, one of our CHWs, believes in the importance of building strong relationships within the Sikoro community.  “I chose to become a CHW to help my community grow,” says Moustaph, “to meet the people who don’t have access to care and to help them stay safe and healthy.”  

“I was working with a pregnant woman, Sanata, this past year,” he said.  “She was in her third pregnancy, but she was still very afraid of what could happen.  I visited Sanata often, especially in the final months of her pregnancy.  I talked to her about her experience, what she was feeling, and about what resources were at her disposal, and I actually escorted her to a couple of her prenatal appointments.”  Moustaph’s commitment paid off, and Sanata is one of the 107 women to give birth at the Sikoro maternity ward.  She gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the end of 2014.  

Awa, another Action for Health mother, values what she has learned from the program and from Moustaph.   She considers him to be part of the family, and appreciates the honest discussions she has with him about important health issues.   “When my kids get sick from a simple fever, he wakes up even if it is late to accompany me to the community health center,” she said.  “This is very important for me.”  The health prevention information provided through Action for Health has also been valuable to Awa.  “Since I joined Action for Health, my life has changed a lot,” she said.  “Thanks to Mali Health, things are a lot better now because I implement what my CHW has suggested that I do and my family has fewer cases of disease.”

We are grateful for Moustaph and all our CHWs,  as they empower communities with the knowledge and skills they need to improve their own health.