Connecting Communities to the Health System
I’ve always been a fan of attempting problem-solving using community-oriented approaches and we can all agree that one of the major problems in Africa (especially Nigeria) is the healthcare system.
As you know, healthcare is a critical aspect of life. Unfortunately, many people find it challenging to access adequate healthcare services due to various reasons, such as financial constraints, lack of awareness, and inadequate healthcare facilities. However, we are not alone in this endeavor. We are part of communities that can provide support, resources, and connections to the healthcare system. In this article, we will explore how communities can connect to the health system and promote better health outcomes for everyone.
Connecting communities to the health system is essential for the provision of healthcare services to those who need them. It involves building partnerships between healthcare providers and communities to create sustainable healthcare delivery systems that meet the needs of the community.
One way that communities can connect to the health system is through community health workers (CHWs). CHWs are trained healthcare providers who work within their communities to promote health and prevent disease. They receive training to provide basic health services and education to their communities. They can provide education on healthy behaviors, connect community members to healthcare services, and offer support for chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. CHWs have been shown to improve access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities, and are a cost-effective way of delivering healthcare services.
CHWs are an integral part of the healthcare system of any country. Let me tell you why I believe this.
The epidemic of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that began in Guinea in December 2013 spread across West Africa affecting thousands of people in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The cumulative number of confirmed, probable, and suspected EVD cases in the three most-affected countries was 28,616 and the number of confirmed, probable, and suspected deaths was 11,310. This is according to WHO.
Community health workers played a pivotal role in controlling the spread of Ebola in Africa through their tireless efforts and close connections with local communities. One such story revolves around a team of dedicated community health workers in Liberia during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014.
These workers, often recruited from within the communities they served, played a crucial role in educating people about Ebola transmission, identifying and isolating suspected cases, and providing essential care to patients. They went door-to-door, holding educational sessions, distributing hygiene kits, and encouraging safe practices such as handwashing and avoiding contact with infected individuals.
One notable example is the story of Lorenzo Dorr, a community health worker in Liberia, who bravely navigated through challenging conditions to reach remote villages and provide crucial information about Ebola prevention and treatment. His efforts, along with those of many other community health workers, contributed significantly to containing the outbreak and saving lives.
Several articles highlight the invaluable contributions of community health workers during the Ebola crisis and emphasize the importance of integrating them into healthcare systems for effective disease control. You can read this one on PubMed titled: “Community health workers during the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone”.
Another way that communities can connect to the health system is through patient navigators. Patient navigators are individuals who help guide patients through the healthcare system, providing support and advocacy as needed. They can help patients understand their diagnoses, navigate insurance and financial issues, and access needed healthcare services. Patient navigators can be especially helpful for patients with complex health needs, who may require multiple providers and services to manage their conditions effectively.
In addition to these individual roles, communities can also connect to the health system through community-based organizations (CBOs). CBOs are nonprofit organizations that work within communities to provide health and social services. They can offer a wide range of programs, from health education and screenings to case management and counseling. CBOs can also help connect community members to healthcare services, serving as a bridge between the community and the health system.
Communities can also connect to the health system through technology. Telehealth and mobile health (mHealth) technologies can help connect patients to healthcare providers, regardless of their location or mobility. Telehealth services can include video consultations, remote monitoring, and virtual care, while mHealth technologies can include smartphone apps and wearable devices that track health data and provide health education and support.
Finally, communities can connect to the health system through advocacy and policy efforts. Advocacy efforts can include supporting funding for health programs, promoting health equity and social justice, and raising awareness about health issues affecting the community.
When community members are involved in healthcare decision-making processes, healthcare service delivery will be improved because accountability, transparency, and community ownership will be promoted. Community members who are involved in healthcare decision-making are more likely to hold healthcare providers accountable for the services they provide and demand transparency in the use of healthcare resources.
To connect communities to the health system, it is also important to address the social determinants of health. The first time I heard about this was during my time at the Global Citizen Year Academy in 2021. Social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These conditions affect health outcomes and contribute to health inequities. Addressing the social determinants of health requires a multisectoral approach that involves collaboration between healthcare providers and other sectors, such as education, housing, and employment.
Let me digress a bit. A few months ago, I and my team at The SerialVolunteer Community trained about 80 persons in a program we tagged The SVC SDG Champions Program, which was a seven-week, seven-module program training young Africans to become champions of sustainable development in their communities. The end part of the first module focused on "The Interconnectedness of the SDGs". This means that the SDGs are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Achieving progress in one goal often contributes to progress in other goals. For instance, addressing poverty (SDG 1) can positively impact health (SDG 3) and education (SDG 4). Likewise, promoting sustainable cities (SDG 11) can have positive implications for climate action (SDG 13) and responsible consumption (SDG 12).
In this context, a multisectoral approach would involve active collaboration. For instance, by partnering with the education sector, healthcare providers can promote health education in schools and improve health literacy among students. By partnering with the housing sector, healthcare providers can address housing insecurity and homelessness, which are associated with poor health outcomes. By partnering with the employment sector, healthcare providers can promote workplace health and safety and support employees with chronic illnesses.