News > Final Report 08 > Part 3

5.0 Constraints/Challenges

The most glaring constrain is the deplorable condition of the roads that leads to the villages where the project is implemented. Infact some of the villages stem to be challenging based on the facts that one might have to cross rivers and work longer distance of about 4 Km. In the midst of the above lies the following challenges:

  • Unavailability of appropriate working gears to match weather conditions, roads and rivers in different operational areas.
  • Lack of Information, Education and Communication materials on health and Sanitation.
  • No transport mechanism for patients on follow up treatment:
  • Men and the elderly are not catered for in the project:

6.0 Conclusion

The evidence presented in this report has demonstrated the positive impact that the Driving Doctor Project had on the lives of children and pregnant women in the Kori Chiefdom. Already we had a total of 623 more children who were supported than originally targeted. Although harder to measure, the impact on families and the Kori Chiefdom of driving doctor beneficiaries has also been significant. This tells us all that there is need for continuation of such a project.

7.0 Recommendation & Way forward

The implementation of the YMCA Driving Doctor Medical Project has brought   lots of advantages to the YMCA-SL some of which are mentioned hereunder:

  1. hat project also makes provision for men in the communities who might complain  sick during treatment exercise;
  2. Information, Education and communication pictorial materials on hygiene and other related diseases be printed and posted in the communities;
  3. That a bigger housing space be rented to accommodate both the store and a small clinic that will deal with follow-up cases;
  4. staff salaries be increased as a means of motivation;
  5. That One More Maternity and Child Health Aide be employed;
  6. That a new vehicle be purchased to replace the current one to cut down on vehicle repairs and maintenance;

The Way Forward

The experiences learned in the implementation of the Driving Doctor project and interviews with people within and out of the communities revealed the need to continue with the project. The reason is obvious. The percentage of infant and maternal mortality is on the increase. Arguably therefore, a mobile clinic can be presented as a holistic approach towards the reduction of infant and maternal mortality. Besides, provision of basic health care can also be interpreted as a human rights issue which must be pursued by the YMCA.  

Human Stories

Mamie Koroma
Thanks to the YMCA for the existence of this project. Since the start of this project child mortality in Jolorhun has reduced drastically.

Kenie Kabeh
I lost two of my wives due to child birth complications. Since the driving doctor came to my village in Mongewor all of our wives now go through safe delivery with less complications.

Chief of Mongewor
The YMCA Driving Doctor Project has had a great impact on us all, especially children and pregnant women who had difficulties in accessing improved medical care. The project came at the right time for us in the Kori chiefdom as the number of infant and maternal mortality had been increasing over the years.

October 08     October 08

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