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Zimbabwe's CAH Community Support |
Zimbabwe has demonstrated the power of community development for CAH patients, with thanks to the country’s dedicated health professionals, led by Dr Prisca Mureriwa, local NGOs (notably Child Youth Care, led by Trudy Nyakambangwe), Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital in Harare and Ministry of Health officials.
With the help of CLAN, Zimbabwe initiated the very first CAH patient support group meeting in June 2022. They have shared that there has been a great impact on the children and families involved. First, there is regular dialogue through a CAH WhatsApp group in a local language, facilitating a means for organization of and invitations to support group meetings. Through these meetings and the network they foster, patients improved their access to free medical consultations. There are now less hurdles to accessing medical guidance and education on their child’s condition. This is strengthened through engaging various types of experts to volunteer their time and support the community. For instance, this past June, they connected the support group with a psychiatrist who came to speak to them about the coping with and overcoming the mental toll of CAH.
With the help of CLAN, Zimbabwe initiated the very first CAH patient support group meeting in June 2022. They have shared that there has been a great impact on the children and families involved. First, there is regular dialogue through a CAH WhatsApp group in a local language, facilitating a means for organization of and invitations to support group meetings. Through these meetings and the network they foster, patients improved their access to free medical consultations. There are now less hurdles to accessing medical guidance and education on their child’s condition. This is strengthened through engaging various types of experts to volunteer their time and support the community. For instance, this past June, they connected the support group with a psychiatrist who came to speak to them about the coping with and overcoming the mental toll of CAH.
An example how the support group impacts children living with CAH is the story of siblings Takunda and Makanaka. Makanaka was fortunately diagnosed when she was born, and despite adversity she is growing well. While Takunda was never diagnosed with CAH, doctors in Zimbabwe suspected he may have been misdiagnosed. The family worked together with the support group to reach a better place and are now positioned well to handle condition and even support other families at the same time. During one of the CAH support group meetings, Takunda and Makanaka presented what they had gone through and how they are empowered by the support group. This is what community development is all about– sharing experiences, inspiring one another, and connecting with people who understand what it is like to live with CAH.
This holistic approach to community development is uplifting CAH patients and their families, and Trudy shares that their meetings “empower them not only economically, but encourages them to claim their rights in the healthcare ecosystem so that they can receive the services they deserve.”
This holistic approach to community development is uplifting CAH patients and their families, and Trudy shares that their meetings “empower them not only economically, but encourages them to claim their rights in the healthcare ecosystem so that they can receive the services they deserve.”
