The story is a total difference around Kavuzi Health Centre, as capacity building of a Village Health Committee (VHC) has not only improved the health facility but led to women empowerment as well. A female Vice Chairperson of the VHC recounts how she has been transformed and services at their facility greatly improved, all due to the capacity building trainings of VHC provided by Improved Services for AIDS and Basic Healthcare through Empowerment and Local Democracy (ISABEL) Project through LISAP in Nkhata Bay District.
Before introduction of ISABEL Project most VHCs in Nkhata Bay District were non-functional and did not take active part in the health system. Kavuzi New Cam Rock Health Centre (also referred to as Kajilirwe) in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabunduli was not spared. Other problems were gender imbalance in the VHCs; high levels of home deliveries due to lack of information on importance of pregnant women to start ante natal clinics during their first trimester of their pregnancy and continue with that until they deliver their baby safely at the health centre; some people were uncomfortable to seek medical care at the health centre due to unfriendly treatment they received due to poor relationship that existed between service users and some providers.
Kajilirwe was one of 100 VHCs that were targeted by ISABEL through LISAP in Nkhata Bay district. Most committees needed the capacity building so that they could do their work effectively such as lobbying and advocacy on identified issues in the community.
The ISABEL changed the situation later through trainings of 100 VHCs. The knowledge and skills they attained helped to improve their level of understanding of health matters and rights in their community as well at the health centres. The VHCs collaborated with their Health Advisory Committees (HACs) in displaying ability to lobby for resources for the health centre. A lot of changes were observed from different aspects. Isabel Nena Mphande is a symbol of women empowerment attained through the ISABEL capacity building trainings. She comes from Kanavula Village.
She is the vice chairperson for Kanavula VHC which is attached to Kavuzi New Cam Rock Health centre. The health centre catchment area reaches to 1,889 households with an estimate of 14,511 population which are receiving treatment at their health centre. Isabel Nena Mphande recounts the state she was in
before, “Ever since, I have never thought that a patient can have rights and duties on health issues”.