Improving access to healthcare in Central African Republic through Female Focal Points

Women in Central African Republic are being trained as Female Focal Points to improve maternal care and address high rates of malnutrition in children. They support their communities to access treatment and promote health and hygiene through information and education campaigns.

Imbeti Claudine, a female focal point in Beboy village near Paoua, explains more:

“I was recruited by MENTOR to encourage positive behaviour changes in my community and help improve people’s health. Our training focused on malnutrition screening, maternal and child health and the promotion of infant and young child feeding.

I can testify to changes in my community because we have a much lower maternal and infant death rate after we highlighted the importance of going to the health centre quickly for treatment when people became ill.

When we screened for malnutrition, most of the children who were ill turned out to be malnourished and were sent to the health centre for treatment. We made pregnant women aware of the importance of pregnancy monitoring by going to antenatal clinics at every appointment.”

With the nearest health centre over two-hours walk away, Female Focal Points like Imbeti are improving access to healthcare in the community and helping to save lives.

Supported by UK aid.