By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The National Executive of the Kombra Network has visited affiliate bodies in Kenema. Chairperson of the network, Dr Ramadan Jalloh, said the engagement in Kenema was part of an ongoing nationwide tour to personally interface with the different Kombra Network district chapeters to understand how they are operating in their jurisdictions.
The Kombra Network is a coalition of religious and civil society organizations that operate as the community engagement arm of the health NGO, FOCUS 1000.
The Kenema meeting which was held at the district office of FOCUS 1000 brought together members from religious bodies, traditional healers, market women, civil society and the media, all of whom constitute the Kombra Network membershop.
“This is to introduce the national executive of the network and acquaint with one another. This will enhance the activities Kombra Network is undertaking on health in Kenema District,” Dr Jalloh said.
“The nationwide tour will help to look at the aims and objectives of the network in delivering health services with partnership with the ministry of health,” Jalloh, who is also the chairperson of the Islamic Action Group (ISLAG), one of the constituent members of the Kombra Network, said.
He added that they were in talks with all the pillars to “look at some of the major challenges they were facing, to be subsequently discussed with the Chief Executive Officer of FOCUS 1000 for action.
“One of the aims and objective of FOCUS 1000, which is for parents to take their children for immunization, proper use of treated mosquito nets, prevention of neonatal and post natal deaths and the reduction of maternal mortality in Kenema district,” he said.
Allie Vamboi, the Head of Traditional Healers in Kenema, another constituent group of the network, reiterated their commitment to what FOCUS 1000 is trying to achieve. Vamboi said as part of their own support, they would continue to work with the network “to help our people in communities”. He noted that their inclusion in the activities of FOCUS 1000 had helped a lot in making sure that key health services are delivered to communities.
The District Chairman of the Kombra Network, Augustine Sannoh, thanked the national executive of the network.
“For Kenema, the structures have been put together. One of the challenges is the completion of community engagement which started with ten chiefdoms,” he said.
Sannoh added that they have six more chiefdoms that they needed to reach out to. He said there had been an improvement in attitudes, thanks to sensitization of communities on teenage pregnancy, blood donation, early marriage, and immunization.
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