Model Rural Health System
Working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Zimba District Health Office, Healthcare Facility staff, Community Based Volunteers and community members we have co-designed a model rural health system, which we are piloting in Kanyanga and Chalimongela Rural Health Posts and looking to build evidence of impact of a holistic health system strengthening programme that could be adopted by Ministry of Health.
Following an extensive and collaborative design process we have identified the biggest challenges at both facilities and co-produced clear quality improvement roadmaps. Interventions will be designed and delivered by Zimba District Health Office, facility staff and community members with On Call Africa’s support.
Overview
The Chalimongela Rural Health Post is located in Zimba District, 135km from the nearest doctor at Zimba Hospital. The health post serves a population of over 6,500 people across a large catchment area, some villages are over 30km from with no means of transport.
The health post is staffed by 2 nurses and two Community Health Assistants. The team offer monthly outreach services to communities which are supported by Community Based Volunteers.
Following a 4 month assessment period this detailed report was produced. A summary of findings can be found below.
Following this assessment phase, On Call Africa, Ministry of Health, Chalimongela Rural Health Post staff and community members developed the following roadmap for improving the functionality of the health system:
Our role
On Call Africa works with the Rural Health Post to identify its biggest challenges and assess needs both at the facility, and within the communities in it’s catchment area.
As of June 2023, the following activities have been completed at the health facility:
- Capacity building and training of healthworkers
- Community Lead Total Sanitation (CLTS) training delivered to 21 community champions and teachers, resulting in an increase of pit latrine coverage and current pit latrines reaching the Ministry of Health standards.
- Solar powered pump, tank and tank stand installed to enable reticulated water at all points of care
- Toilets and showers constructed to bring the health post up to the national standards for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Construction of waste management systems
- Installation of solar power system
Over the next 2 years we plan to work in partnership with Ministry of Health to pilot the new national standardised Community Based Volunteer programme for Zambia at Chalimongela Health Post. We aim to support Ministry of Health to build a body of evidence of the impact of this new integrated package of care being delivered as close to the home as possible.
