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MAISHA OPEN FORUMS FOR HEALTH: Community Dialogue Days MAISHA supported ten Dialogue Days between
with training in community health, data collection, and
community members and Community Health Volunteers
maternal and newborn health. In turn, CHVs used the
(CHVs) during November and December in Migori. The
Dialogue Day as a platform to encourage women to visit
Dialogue Days, hosted outdoors within the community,
health facilities for family planning, pregnancy care,
were an opportunity for CHVs and community members to
and for delivery. Likewise, TBAs who had recently
share their experiences and air concerns about health in
participated in sensitization training with MAISHA,
their community. All community stakeholders were
publicly spoke of their support for facility-based
invited to participate, including local chiefs and elders,
maternal care.
community members, CHVs, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and the Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW). The meeting, largely moderated by the CHEW, presented the data collected by CHVs’ household visits, community members’ questions, and the most pressing health concerns in the community related to maternal and child health.
Days.
opportunities
members were able to share their experiences. A number of concerns were raised, including: access to facilities, myths about family planning, and questions about nutrition. These topics are challenging for a number
of
reasons
and
resulted
in
enthusiastic
discussion. Both the CHVs and CHEW offered know-
CHVs played a major role in the success of the Dialogue
Following the CHVs’ presentation, community
for
The
forum
CHVs
to
was
one
present
of
the
themselves
first
how and understanding to the dialogue; however, some questions
were
left
unanswered.
Even
so,
the
to
community was empowered to debate the health-
community members in a gathering, which resulted in the
related issues it faces and propose its own solutions.
recognition from the elders needed to bolster their work.
Dialogue Days are planned for each quarter of the year
CHVs were enabled to demonstrate their knowledge and
and are an opportunity for CHVs and the community to
the data gathered from their household visits. Community
plan action days such as immunization campaigns,
members were impressed that the CHVs were equipped
nutritional assessments, and maternal health clinics.
UPCOMING: • February 2016: o Income Generating Activity training o Traditional Birth Attendants’ Facility Forums o Male Focus-Groups • March 2016: o Year 4 wrap-up o Year 5 planning