Community Health Workers Services
Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Community Health Workers (CHWs) of Remera-Rukoma District Hospital catchment area are community members selected from the communities in which they live and provided with basic health training to help people access healthcare services and prevent diseases. They work close to households and serve as a vital link between the community and health facilities.Every village typically has Community Health Workers who are elected by community members and work closely with the Health Center.
Their Roles and Responsibilities
Although Community Health Workers work primarily with Health Centers, their activities also support the District Hospital, as the hospital receive patients referred for specialized or advanced medical care. Their key responsibilities include:
- Raising community awareness about disease prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles, hygiene, and sanitation.
- Monitoring the health of pregnant women, encouraging them to attend antenatal care (ANC) services and deliver in health facilities.
- Monitoring child health, including immunization, growth monitoring, nutrition, and the prevention of stunting.
- Identifying people with signs and symptoms of illness at an early stage and referring them to the Health Center or District Hospital whenever necessary.
- Providing basic treatment for selected common illnesses, particularly among children, through Community Case Management (CCM).
- Following up patients living with chronic diseases and encouraging adherence to treatment and regular medical check-ups.
- Collecting community health data and reporting it to the Health Center.
- Mobilizing community members to participate in national health programs such as immunization campaigns, nutrition programs, Community-Based Health Insurance (Mutuelle de Santé), and other public health initiatives.
- Providing health education and counseling on reproductive health and family planning.
- Supporting disease surveillance by detecting and reporting disease outbreaks promptly to enable timely public health interventions.
Their Contribution to the Hospital
Community Health Workers play a critical role in supporting the Hospital because they:
- Help prevent diseases before they become severe.
- Refer patients promptly, reducing complications and improving treatment outcomes.
- Follow up patients after they have been discharged from the hospital to ensure continuity of care and recovery.
- Provide valuable community health information that helps hospitals and health authorities plan and improve healthcare services.
In summary, Community Health Workers are the cornerstone of Primary Health Care (PHC). They ensure that essential healthcare services reach people where they live and make a significant contribution to improving the health and well-being of communities within the catchment area of Health Centers and the hospital.
CHWs Supervisor
Community Health Workers supervisor
USABWIMANA Marie
Telephone:0788668434