Prof Janabi calls on CHWs to ensure early healthcare access
COAST REGION: EXECUTIVE Director of the Muhimbili National Hospital and Presidential Advisor on Health and Medical Affairs, Professor Mohammed Janabi has asked all community health workers to diligently perform their duties as their contribution to the health sector helps to prevent deaths and ensure sustainable development in the country.
He said by ensuring early access to basic healthcare, community health workers help to prevent deaths, poverty and disabilities that are caused by delays in receiving medical treatment.
Prof Janabi was speaking recently during his visit to get a firsthand look at the training for Community Health Workers (CHWs) in Kibaha, Coast Region at the Health and Participatory Science Excellence Colleges.
“If you can provide education at the grassroots level, patients will not have to reach Mkapa, JKCI, MOI, regional hospitals or even Muhimbili,” said Prof Janabi.
On the issue of safe motherhood, Prof Janabi urged community health service providers, once they begin their duties, to ensure they offer education and knowledge on health matters such as the importance of mothers giving birth at health facilities.
“You contribute greatly to the implementation of our National Health Policy, one of whose agendas is to reduce maternal and child deaths related to childbirth. Therefore, your presence will help achieve the goal of further reducing maternal and child deaths,” said Prof Janabi.
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Prof Janabi also encouraged community health workers to actively engage in helping the community understand and benefit from Universal Health Insurance.
At the same time, the Apotheker Health Access Initiative organisation has been actively involved, alongside the experts collaborating with them in the Coast Region and demonstrated to Prof Janabi the Health-Tech system, which has been officially integrated into the Community-Level Integrated System and how it helps improve community health services.
On her part, the Chief Officer for Innovation, Relations and Strategy at HealthTek, Ms Fatma Mahmoud, stated that the main goal of the project is to reduce maternal deaths and improve adolescent health by using digital systems.
