Community health workers

Afghanistan is a country that has been in conflict for decades, resulting in the destruction of much of its social infrastructure, including the health system. After the intervention of US-led NATO forces, JVC/YVO implemented a Basic Package of Health Services to provide services to the rural population; its specific focus was on women and children.

CHWs were mainly volunteer members of the community, nominated by a Village Health Committee (HC), and trained, supervised, and supported by the JVC/YVO and the BPHS. They are reimbursed for their trip to health facilities and provided with kits (toothbrush and toothpaste, hand soap, and towel) for their own use. And medicines for the villagers. And YVO had male and female CHWs.

Female CHWs contribute to female-only events and meetings. CHWs participate in national campaigns only when they are asked or employed to do so. In collaboration with the village elder or leader and the village health committee, CHWs These HCs are male and female, with one HC in each village in our catchment area. CHWs organize meetings of HCs on a monthly basis, in which they discuss health issues in the village. Male-only HCs often discussed environmental health issues such as water for drinking and irrigation, etc. Female HCs generally focus on maternal and child health, such as breastfeeding, a good source of nutrients for mothers and children, antenatal and postnatal care visits, family problems (convincing mother-in-laws and husbands to allow them to access health care services), and the provision of vehicles for the transportation of pregnant women to health facilities.