Fight Against Leprosy in South-East Liberia – 2016-17 Annual Report
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ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA AMICI DI RAOUL FOLLEREAU Organization for International Health Cooperation 1 Third Year’s Narrative Report of the Project: “Support for the Strategic Plan for the Fight against Leprosy in the south-east of Liberia.” Period: 1 st October 2016- 30 th September, 2017 Date Submitted: October 20, 2017 AIFO-Liberia Project Realized with the contribution of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) ACRONYMS AIFO Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau ALM American Leprosy Missions BU Buruli Ulcer BCCs Behavior Change Communications CHOs County Health Officers CHT County Health Team CHA Community Health Assistant 2 CBR Community Based Rehabilitation CBOs Community Based Organizations CEO County Education Office CSOs Civil Society Organization DHOs District Health Officers DA Disability Alliance DPOs Disabled People Organizations DEOs District Education Officers EPHS Essential Package of Health Services EVD Ebola Virus Disease GLRA German Leprosy Relief Association GoL Government of Liberia GCHVs General Community Health Volunteers HDR Human Development Report HI Handicap International IGAs Income Generating Activities IEC Information Education and Communication INCHR International Commission on Human Rights IDM Integrated Disease Management LFPs Leprosy Focal Persons LDHS Liberia Demographic Health Survey LMIS Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey MoH Ministry of Health MAP Medical Assistance Program MFDP Ministry of Finance and Development Planning NLTCP National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Programe NCD National Commission on Disabilities NTDs Neglected Tropical Diseases NUOD National Union of the Disabled NGOs Non-Governmental Organization OICs Officer in Charge PHCs Primary Health Care Staff PIH Partners in Health PWDs People with Disabilities UNDP United Nations Development Program UNMIL United Nations Mission in Liberia SHGs Self Help Groups WHO World Health Organization Project Realized with the contribution of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) 1. PROJECT TITLE AND GENERAL INFOS Project Title: “Support for the Strategic Plan for the Fight against Leprosy in South East Liberia” Location: Liberia (West Africa). In 5 Counties: Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland and Bong County 3 Dioceses: Diocese of Gbarnga (County of Bong) and of Cape Palmas (County of Maryland). Local partner: Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Consolata in Liberia. Other partners: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), and National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) Sectors: Health, socio - economic and education. Duration: 3 Years Start date: 1st October, 2014 Overall objective: To contribute to strengthening the national health system in the five counties of the south-east (Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Nimba and Bong Counties) as provided by the "Strategic Plan on Leprosy 2013-2017" of the Ministry of Health. Specific objectives: 1) Increase the quantity, quality and access to services for the identification and treatment of leprosy provided by primary health centers in the communities involved in the project through specific training of medical and paramedical staff. 2) Develop a system of operators of RBC and health volunteers trained for the early identification of people affected by leprosy in communities, strengthening the referral system between the community and primary health centers in the area. 3) Improving education and the socioeconomic status of people affected by leprosy and persons with disabilities living in the project, with particular attention to the access of children to primary and secondary school. Project Realized with the contribution of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) 2. GENERAL OVERVIEW AND METHODOLOGY This annual narrative report captures tangible results and sustainable activities carried out in the third and final year of the project by AIFO Liberia and its partners (the Congregation of the Consolata Sisters in Liberia, MoHSW, PIH, and NCD), in collaboration with the Dioceses of Gbarnga (County of Bong) and of Cape Palmas (County of Maryland). It focuses on five counties in Liberia namely: Maryland, Rivergee, Grand Gedeh, Nimba and Bong. The project considered a strong partnership with the Ganta Rehab, Liberia’s only Leprosy and TB Rehabilitation Center located in Ganta, Nimba County for referral of leprosy and other NTDs related cases. This center is being managed by the Consolata Sisters and the Ministry of 4 Health. Four County Health centers namely; Phebe Hospital in Bong County, Martha Tubman Hospital in Grand Gedeh County, Fish Town Hospital in Rivergee County and JJ Dossen Hospital in Maryland County also coordinated with the project in areas of treatment and care for NTDs related cases. The determination of the project was to support the government of Liberia in the fight against Leprosy and other Neglected Tropical Diseases such as Buruli Ulcer, Lymphodema, Elephantiasis among others. The plan provides for the decentralization of essential services for the identification, treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by these diseases. This synergy also aims to contribute significantly to the strengthening of the “National Program for Control of Leprosy and Tuberculosis” and, in particular, contribute to the realization of the Plan for Integrated IDM NTDs Case Management for 2016-2020. To a larger extent, the project helped to achieve some of the intended results of the plan and to be specific, training of Primary Health Care Workers on Leprosy and other NTDs, Information, Education and Communication on NTDs, Vocational and Socio Economic Opportunities for People affected with Leprosy, Education Support to Children of Persons affected with Leprosy among many others . Firstly, considering that the project placed more emphasis on the early detection and treatment of leprosy and other related NTDs, CBR workers with the support of Leprosy Focal Persons detected and referred about 228 NTDs related cases with treatment provided throughout the three year period (2014-2017). IEC awareness and messages on NTDs reached more than 100,000 residents throughout the 5 counties, thanks to local community radio stations and CBR workers who worked in isolated areas to get the various messages disseminated. Additionally, the project supported more than 300 former leprosy affected persons and people with disabilities as well as their family members in various aspects of vocational training such as soap making, animal husbandry, tie and dye among others. The trainings took into consideration Small Business Management in other to enhance their managerial skills. The trainees were subsequently formed into Self Help Groups (SHGs) totaling 19 . The SHGs is being utilized to also promote advocacy for social and economic inclusion of former leprosy affected persons and people with disabilities in general. As far as scholarship support is concerned, a total of 67 children of people affected with leprosy and children with disabilities benefitted from inclusive education. At least 14 CEI Project partner Schools, both private and public supported this process. Other Project Activities conducted includes; home visits, community level awareness to dispel myths and misconceptions, stigma reduction among others. As far as training of health care workers is concerned, the project provided an intensive training for more than 300 Primary Health Care and Community Workers (DHOs, CHSS, CHOs, LFP, NTDs-FPs, CBR Workers) in Integrated NTDs Case Management Training. The results of the training have been remarkable given the fast and active pace of various NTDs at the health centers in the concerned areas. As part of efforts to ensure an effective coordination of activities in other to avoid duplication, the MoH NTDs Department during the reporting period convened series of meetings with NTDs partners to highlight the Programme planned activities and adjustments. AIFO ably participated Project Realized with the contribution of the Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) to these meetings and was able to highlight the program’s implementation as well as challenges and recommendations. The contribution of CEI was always reflected in these discussions. Partners in Health, an American NGO working in Maryland County is coordinating efforts with AIFO in joint outreach on leprosy and other NTDs and providing nutritional food items for clients referred at the various health centers in the county. AIFO also played key role in the Disability Alliance during the reporting period. The Disability Alliance is a conglomeration of local and international NGOs working on disability and social inclusion issues in Liberia. It was very instrumental in engaging the National Elections Commission to ensure the full and effective participation of people with disabilities including people affected with leprosy in the October, 2017 Presidential and legislative elections which is most likely going for a runoff. For the first 5 time in Liberia, persons with visual impairment utilized the tactile ballot to cast their votes. This report is focused on the third year intervention but a cumulative report of results for the three years are reflected in project results summary table as indicated in the below mentioned pages. The below mentioned pages will give you a clearer picture of the project’s final interventions, targets and results achieved as well as highlight the various challenges and recommendations. 3. THE CONTEXT National level Geographic Size 111,369 km2 Founded July 26, 1847 Executive President President: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf