Model Programs

Between 2004 and 2009, HCU developed and implemented a model community health worker (CHW) program (locally known as the “CORPs Model”) in 175 villages in southwestern Uganda. Two volunteers were selected from each village (by the village community itself) and were then trained as CHWs to promote child health. These volunteers learned to treat and prevent common illnesses and to recognize when to refer sick children to hospitals. They met monthly with local health centre staff for re-training and reporting. CHW responsibilities included:

• Visiting homes with pregnant women, newborn babies, and young children
• Conducting health education presentations
• Organizing health and development initiatives within their own villages
• Encouraging parents to take children for immunization and weighing
• Assessing children when they are sick and determining if they need to go immediately to a health centre or if they can be treated safely at home
• Advocating for children in their village, especially those with special needs

HCU’s CORPs Model was extremely successful. Retention of volunteer CHWs after 5 years exceeded 86%. Fewer children became sick and malnourished and child deaths reduced dramatically (by more than 50% according to CHW monthly reports). An encouraging spin-off has been tremendous enthusiasm and empowerment among the volunteer CHWs, and many new innovations and community projects. HCU has since successfully transitioned its CORPs Model to fit under Uganda’s national CHW program.

Additional Resource:

Brenner J, Sharma N. Healthy Child Uganda: The Healthy Child Uganda Community Owned Resource Persons Model. Mbarara: Healthy Child Uganda; 2010 Apr. 122 p.

HCU and MUST support opportunities for students to work in rural communities and gain experience. Each year, 40 students from MUST’s Faculties of Medicine, Nursing, and Lab Science work for 4 weeks at selected rural health centres. Students receive valuable education during this time while they are linked with rural communities and providing much-needed services at these health centres.

In 2008, HCU also offered ‘student placement’ electives in which teams of students from MUST’s Faculties of Development Studies, Education, Science, and Medicine spent one month together with selected communities, exploring and addressing specific health and development issues.

Through a ‘Twinning Program’, students from the Faculty of Development Studies are also offered a unique opportunity to be matched with a rural village. Paired students visit their village at least once a month for a full year. They work with the community to set goals that address major health and development issues, and then implement initiatives for change.

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