APHIA II beats the odds in Antubochiu
April 2007
CREDITS: Story and photos by the APHIA II Eastern Results 2 Team
in Kenya. The team includes Juma Mwatsefu, Daniel Were and Noni Mumba.
As early as 6:00 a.m. on 22 March 2007, the crowd had begun assembling at the open grounds
overlooking the Antubochiu dispensary, which was still under construction. This was the venue for the
first APHIA II Eastern service outreach event in Maua. Men and women, young and old, came out for
this occasion, which they deemed important to their health. And as the day dawned, the numbers
in the crowd only increased. Amidst the sweltering heat, the determination to access much-needed
health services took precedence over taking shelter from the hot sun.
The arrival with the service providers of Wilfred Marete, Anthony Nyongesa and
Daniel Were from APHIA II was welcomed with pomp and ululation by the community. A local women's
group could not resist singing a song laden with praise for APHIA II's efforts to improve the
health of their community. With excitement on the rise, the provision of services was preceded
by a health talk by the Ministry of Health team from Nyambene District Hospital.
 Then,
health education took center stage as the community lined up at the various service delivery points
focusing on voluntary counseling and testing for HIV (VCT), prevention of mother-to-child
transmission of HIV, maternal and child health, family planning and other curative services
such as those for malaria and TB. In addition, there were health education talks by community
leaders, community theatre performances by the Mwangaza Theatre Group and activities led by
other community-owned resource persons (CORPS).
With every moment,
the crowd continued to swell, and the final attendance for the outreach event totaled about
2,000 people. Because the number of people was just too overwhelming for the few service providers,
the team of organizers had to constantly add others to meet the huge demand for services.
As the old men and women negotiated for a chance to have their health checked, the
young were not left behind; they could be seen lining up in large numbers next to the entrances
to the VCT points. It was almost like a dream to see such a long queue of young people determined
to receive VCT, a situation that rarely happens at health facilities. The common stigma associated
with going for VCT had disappeared, thanks to the ongoing health education at this particular site.
 By
the end of the day, 662 clients had received curative services, 112 clients
received VCT and 50 others were counseled but not tested. More encouraging is that 75% of those
who accessed services were young people.
This experience shows how serious the community is in
taking responsibility for their health—they are responding to the community mobilization efforts
and adopting health-seeking behaviors. As the team wrapped up the outreach, they felt guilty for
closing up the service because a group of about 10 young ladies was still determined to access
VCT. Since time did not allow, they were referred to Nyambene District Hospital for the service.
At the end of this outreach, it was evident that the day had been an outstanding
success, thanks to the door-to-door mobilization campaign mounted by community leaders working
in conjunction with the Mwangaza Theatre Group. Credit also goes to Dr. Maundu, the Medical
Officer of Health for Nyambene District Hospital, and Francis Baariu, the District AIDS and
STI Coordinator, and his team, for providing the drugs, test kits and manpower to make this
service outreach happen. Of course, the provincial administration, through the Chiefs and Assistant
Chiefs who braved the hot sun, were also of vital importance as they ensured that everything was
in order throughout the day. These combined efforts made this day a success that will be written
in the history books of this community for years to come. Indeed, as the area Assistant Chief noted
in his parting address, "When APHIA II came to us we first doubted what they can do for us, but
now today they have demonstrated it before our very eyes and we are very happy."
About Jhpiego
For 35 years, Jhpiego, (pronounced "ja-pie-go"), has empowered front-line health
workers by designing and implementing simple, low-cost, hands-on solutions that
strengthen the delivery of health care services, following the
household-to-hospital continuum of care. We partner with community- to
national-level organizations to build sustainable, local capacity through
advocacy, policy and guidelines development, and quality and performance
improvement approaches.
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