USAID Staff Observe PAIMAN Activities

PAIMAN Highlights March 15-20, 2010

USAID Staff Observe PAIMAN Activities In a visit facilitated by JSI-PAIMAN team led by Chief of Party, Dr. Nabeela Ali, PAIMAN partners and department of health on March 18, a USAID team comprising Health Officer, Ms. Miriam Lutz, and Deputy Health Director Ms. Shanda Steimer observed PAIMAN activities in District Jhelum. At his office, the Executive District Officer-Health presented an overview of PAIMAN inputs. At the District Health Development Center, the District Coordinator, National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care (NPFPPHC) and the District Coordinator-Maternal Newborn Child Health presented on the district health information system (DHIS) and PAIMAN civil works conducted and equipment supplied. At District Headquarters Hospital-Jhelum, the medical superintendent praised PAIMAN inputs, especially for the gynecology and nursery sections. The team visited the gynecology ward, operations theater, labor room, and well baby clinic. At a lady health worker (LHW) health house, the team observed an LHW-organized support group meeting. At a community midwife’s (CMW) home, the CMW and her family expressed gratitude to PAIMAN for organizing CMW trainings. Concluding the USAID team praised PAIMAN’s support in strengthening the Jhelum health care system.

Coordination Meeting At the March 17 district coordination meeting at Gwadar, Project updates were shared and planned activities and issues discussed. Facilitated by JSI, the meeting was attended by PAIMAN partners and Gwader sub-grantees. Improving Access to Health Services Health camps were held in District DI Khan at Rural Health Center (RHC) Paharpur on March 19 for 171 patients and at Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Kulachio March 20 for 265 patients. Local Events At RHC Toru Mardan, PAIMAN-Mardan team organized on March 17 a local event on mother and child health (MCH) for 180 participants. RHC Toru volunteers roll-played the importance of MCH. Volunteers were motivated to bring positive change in their community though health sessions and importance of maternal care and the role of the community in caring for women during pregnancy were emphasized. Speakers highlighting PAIMAN activities thanked the PAIMAN team for organizing the event. On March 18, event on “Welcome Community Volunteers” was held at RHC Kandhra, District Sukkur. Dewan Pehlaj Rai Advisor, Chief Minister, was the chief guest. EDOH Sukkur and district health department officials, NPFPPHC, JSI, Save the Children US, stakeholders, and local community-based NGO representatives participated. Volunteers and health committee members conducted a female health issues theatre for the 490 community members and guests.

PAIMAN Activities Assessments of health planning, supportive supervision, and financial management training were conducted. District health management teams were supported during district planning cycle. Contech staff assisted with DHIS implementation. Support group and health committee monitoring, partnership defined quality follow up meetings, community integrated management of childhood illnesses training, and LHW refresher training and follow up continued. Sub-grantees reported on communication, advocacy, and mobilization activities, their health camps, tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccinations, and community motivation for emergency transport.