NEW: Collaborative efforts, a win in health delivery

Part three looks at stakeholder initiatives and outcomes and the role of community health workers in awareness.

Catherine Murombedzi

Health Correspondent

Fertility treatment initiatives and outcomes can be improved through collaborative efforts of funding partners, health experts and the media.

As seen in the collaborative efforts of the Merck Foundation working with 22 African First Ladies who are Ambassadors for “More Than a Mother Campaign”, Zimbabwe has seen over 100 high school students from marginalised backgrounds receiving bursaries.

Media personnel and medical doctors who desired to further their knowledge have been trained.

With 42 African Ministers of Health being partners, interest in the training programmes keeps growing.

The media plays a crucial role in raising awareness of various health issues, diseases and prevention.

By providing further training for health experts, infertility treatment in Zimbabwe can be improved.

By 2023, the Merck Foundation had provided scholarships to 1 740 health experts from 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.

A total of 3 000 media practitioners from 35 countries had been trained to report on HIV, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, infertility and Covid-19.

“The media can promote healthy lifestyles through mass media campaigns and programmes on radio, television, print and online publications. It can disseminate accurate and reliable health information to the public, helping to bridge the knowledge gap. All these aspects can be realised if the media is trained.

“Healthcare professionals, patients and communities, can speak through the media, sharing their stories and experiences. With an informed nation, stigma around infertility, mental health, HIV, disability and all less discussed issues can be reduced,” said Dr Kelej while addressing journalists in the monthly webinars hosted by the Foundation.

By playing these roles, the media can significantly contribute to better health outcomes and a more informed public.

The Merck Foundation is striving to change the river’s course from harmful cultural norms across Africa and some Asian countries.

Since its formation in 2017, fertility services have been expanded in underserved areas and funds permitting, more will be done.

“We strive to make fertility treatments more affordable and accessible to all. We are continuously improving fertility treatment options and outcomes through scientific advancements and training of health experts from Africa and Asia. We will continue to scale up services. In our small way, we will make a change for the better,” said Dr Kelej.

Dr Collen Nyatsambo, an alumnus of the Merck Foundation, urged the Government to equip hospitals with more diagnostic equipment.

“I may now know so much about pulmonary conditions, but without diagnostic equipment, that knowledge means nothing to patients who want answers to their medical problems, not theoretical knowledge,” he said.

Dr Nyatsambo spoke on behalf of 69 medical doctors who completed various courses under the Merck Foundation’s “More than a Mother” campaign.

He highlighted the need for exchange programs, funding and properly equipped clinics to provide affordable health services.

“The Government should make efforts to provide these so that a specialist at a hospital in rural Checheche can make meaningful changes to the community there,” Dr Nyatsambo said.

“Through exchange programs, students can get experience from other institutions abroad. Diagnostic equipment is a challenge that hinders us from effectively practicing what we learnt. We continue having to outsource certain tests, which makes it difficult for our patients to fully benefit from our expertise.

“One may know so much about fertility issues, but without a laboratory, that doctor is useless to a woman who wants to conceive.”

Dr Cathy Fungura-Gohori, a qualified embryologist, specialised in IVF and completed advanced training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

She is based at a rural facility in Gutu.

“For some couples failing to have children, it could be stress-induced infertility. With correct assessment and diagnosis, I have come across such. It’s simple and straightforward to help such couples,” said Dr Fungura-Gohori.

In the midst of all this, the role of community health workers is massive. They are the unsung heroes and heroines of primary health care in resource-constrained settings.

“Community health workers can play a vital role in educating people about fertility options and reducing stigma. Besides awareness, they can provide counselling for individuals struggling with infertility. They can distribute educational materials and resources,” said Mr Itai Rusike, Community Working Group on Health executive director.

“They can link those who require buddies to form and facilitate support groups and counselling sessions. Above all, being the linkage, they can connect individuals with fertility services and resources.

“Community health workers can reduce stigma by promoting open conversations about fertility. They already exist as they bring family planning services to the communities, they only need to add onto their workload and discuss fertility issues.”

By working together, we can improve outcomes by supporting those navigating fertility journeys.

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