Recorded May 2024: Our guest, Pauline Picho, Executive Director of Nama Wellness Center (NAWEC) in Uganda, shares how her organisation is transforming healthcare access in some of Uganda’s most underserved communities. In this episode, recorded on location, Pauline gives us a snapshot of how Nama’s Community Health Workers (CHWs) are closing the healthcare gap for thousands of families.
Kindly note that this episode was recorded on location, so you may hear some background noise. We keep these conversations brief out of respect for our guests' busy schedules.
Key highlights
Only 53% of Uganda’s population resides within a one-hour walking distance of a health center. Nama Wellness Center is actively addressing this disparity in Mukono District.
Nama Wellness Center treats over 1,500 patients daily and reaches 9,000 babies in the community through its extensive network of CHWs.
Nama’s CHWs are critical in promoting safe childbirth. Thanks to their efforts and partnerships with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), 95% of women in the area now deliver in health facilities (up from 88% at baseline).
TBAs are incentivised to refer mothers to hospitals, contributing to the region’s improved maternal health outcomes.
Pauline also talks about Nama’s challenges with scaling their programs, government collaboration, and the vision for a specialised maternal and child health hospital.
Correction: At the 10:31 - 10:36 mark, it was mentioned that Traditional Birth Attendants are paid $2 per month. The correct figure is $10 per month.
Our favourite quotes from this episode
"Community health workers, if well-trained and supported, can truly serve a large part of our community and bridge the gap between the community and health facilities." - Pauline Picho
"My motivation comes from the smile on a mother’s face when she delivers safely." - Pauline Picho
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