IDEA HEALTH INTERVENTIONS:
In the year 2019-2020, COVID-19 affected the economic and protection circumstances of Afghan refugees and host communities across Pakistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, being the host to one of the largest Refugee settlements also bore the brunt of COVID-19 and its socio – economic implications. IDEA with the support of Concern worldwide started implementation of Integrated COVID-19 Humanitarian Assistance (ICHA) Project targeting Afghan Refugee camps and hosting areas in district Peshawar and Nowshera (KP) in the first year of the project (2021-2022) while during its second year (2022-2023) expanded its operations to Quetta, Pishin and QillahSaifullah in Baluchistan provinces.
Rehabilitation of WASH facilities in Government schools and Health facilities:
Under the Health component, IDEA in year 1 (2021-2022) of ICHA project improved 10 Government Health facilities and 40 schools with Public Health Measures (PHM), Infection Prevention Control (IPC) and WASH infrastructure in 2 districts i.e Peshawar and Nowshera. IDEA focused on primary and secondary health facilities (HF) that were accessible to Afghan refugees and the host communities, and that provided health care services to people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. In the year II of ICHA project (October 2022 – September 2023), IDEA team will improve 25 Government Health facilities and 100 schools with Public Health Measures (PHM), Infection Prevention Control (IPC) and WASH infrastructure in 5 districts i.e Peshawar and Nowshera (KP) and districts Quetta, Pishin and QillahSaifullah (Baluchistan).
A view of rehabilitated washrooms at GGPS Bihari colony and the newly constructed Group Hand washing Point at GGPS Shagai – Peshawar
Provision of PPEs:
Under the ICHA project, IDEA team successfully distributed PPE’s including masks, soaps, sanitizers, gloves etc. to the targeted 10 health facilities (5 in Peshawar and 5 in Nowshera district) and 40 schools to curtail the impact of COVID-19 and to promote the hygiene standards amongst the targeted communities. In the ongoing year (2022-2023), IDEA team successfully provided essential protective items to the targeted 25 health facilities and 100 schools in Baluchistan and KP which included surgical masks, disposable gloves, anti-bacterial soaps, and sanitizers. The organization also provided disinfecting and waste disposal material in Health Facilities and schools. Under the project, IDEA will also provide Diagnostic and Imaging Equipment to 25 Health Facilities including Ultrasound Machines, X – Ray machines, Dental Units and other necessary equipment’s to the targeted health facilities in 5 districts of KP and Baluchistan.
Provision of PPEs to schools in districts Nowshera and Peshawar
Capacity building trainings of Health professionals and schools teachers:
Under ICHA project, IDEA team also successfully conducted trainings of school teachers and health staff on COVID-19 especially on Infection Prevention and Vaccination (IPC) in district Peshawar and Nowshera. The training sessions were organized for teachers and health staff employed at the selected 40 schools and 10 health facilities with the purpose to capacitate the participants on WHO-recommended COVID-19 training package that included COVID-19 case definitions, investigation, management, infection prevention and control, proper use of personal protective equipment for self-protection and reduction of transmission risk and vaccination. A total of 49 doctors/paramedic staff from the 10 health facilities in district Nowshera and Peshawar and 38 teachers from the targeted 40 schools of both the districts were capacitated on the subject training.
COVID-19 Training of Teachers and health staff under ICHA project
In the ongoing year, IDEA team conducted capacity building of health facilities staff on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF). This activity was successfully completed by IDEA team during the third quarter. A total of 61 doctors and paramedic staff from the targeted districts of Peshawar, Nowshera, Quetta, Pishin and QillahSaifullah were capacitated on Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF). The subject training was carried out as per WHO-recommended IYCF training package. The tools utilized during the trainings were presentation, interactive discussion, activity based learning and question answer sessions. It was observed that the discussion and the activities carried out during the training were instrumental in creating a comfortable environment for the participants to open up about the stigmas and societal norms attached to IYCF practices. A pre and post-test of the participants was also carried out which reflected significant improvement in the knowledge level of the participants.
Capacity building training of paramedic staff on Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices
Celebration of World Health Day:
Under ICHA project (year 1), IDEA team celebrated “World Health Day” in the forty targeted schools in two districts i.e Nowshera and Peshawar. World Health Day was celebrated with the purpose to spread awareness amongst children regarding their health and hygiene and they were introduced with the concept of health nutrition, personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness. The format intended to encourage girls to speak openly and then to share their knowledge with each other.
World Health Day being celebrated at GGPS MeraAkora by IDEA Staff
Provision of MHM / Dignity Kits and Delivery Kits:
IDEA team also distributed a total of 960 MHM/Dignity kits to the targeted 100 schools. In each school 5 MHM / Dignity Kits were provided for the students to promote the Health and Hygiene standards amongst the young girls. The teachers as well as girls students of the schools appreciated the quality of MHM kits and stated that the kits would cater to their health and hygiene needs as well as promote the message of the importance of maintaining minimum hygiene standards amongst the communities. IDEA team also successfully distributed a total of 1,000 Community Delivery Kits to the targeted 1,000 Afghan community females and 500 host community females which also included LHWS and LHVs.
Distribution of MHM/ Dignity Kits and Delivery Kits by IDEA team
Conducting Free Medical camps:
In the ongoing year, IDEA will also conduct a 3 day Health camp in the targeted 5 districts in KP and Baluchistan wherein free conduction and free medicines will be provided to the Afghan patients as well as host communities. In this regard, IDEA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Health departments in KP and Baluchistan. The health departments have shared the lists of 25 doctors and paramedic staff which will be engaged for the three day health camp in each district. IDEA targets to reach a minimum of 2,000 beneficiaries through the health camps to address the most pressing health needs of the marginalized communities.