Community and Referral Center Assessments

Arriving in India with a vague intention of doing something health related in the communities served by the creches, I have spent a lot of time during the past two months meeting anyone and anybody who was willing to talk to me about the health care system here and in particular maternal and child health care. I have been amazed by the wonderful reception I have received. I have met with administrators and staff in local private and government hospitals, municipal health officials, public health nurses, and private practitioners. Without exception everyone has gone out of their way to answer my questions and to allow me to observe everyday operations in their facilities and the surrounding community. Through these meetings I am gradually developing a sense of what needs I might be able to address in a very small way. Seline and I are working closely together to design some health education programs for the creche parents and staff to begin with.
For me the most interesting and enjoyable part of the community assessment is meeting with families in the community as they share their birth and other stories. I have had the opportunity to do this both formally and informally with creche staff and by accompanying public health nurses on some home visits.