From checklists to process

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Village Sakiapara, Udalguri District, Assam (India). We are using CLCP and SALT process for community engagement on immunization and child health. ANM and ASHA are health workers in India

ANM- Initially there were left outs and drop outs in immunization in this village in year 2017. Through SALT approach, ASHA realized that she could tap the community and rope in the women and if they are involved she could get 100% immunisation. Male participation in immunization has improved. Male members are now receptive to family planning. Male members have started taking responsibility, if mother cannot bring , fathers or grandfathers or grandmothers happily get the children for immunization.

Rate of immunization– 100% of immunization now. there were drop outs and left outs in 2017- both ANM and ASHA supervisor narrated this based on 2019 records.

 

ASHA supervisor: SALT has helped in our work

Here we were laid back and complacent. Who will come to see us as we rarely get visitors. Our village is so remote. Also it was work for us. Complacency after SALT is gone. we are active now.  Now on day of vaccine we clean up the place for delivery of services. Initially, we did not tell people to keep their children clean, wash their hands, use toilet. SALT punchline -- – our village, our dream, our responsibility imbibed a sense of responsibility to talk about cleanliness.

community engagement in immunization is  encouraging us.  Grandmothers getting children for immunization. This has energised us. We have to motivate couples for Family planning we find it embarrassing when we have to go to homes of people for family planing. But as men and grandmothers also come now easily for vaccinations. WE can motivate men, wives and mother in law as they come to the centre, we find it easier to counsel them on family planning. Workload has reduced  as we do not have to make home visits for immunization. Women remind other women for vaccination. We have four villages under us which are very backward.  We are trying to use elements of SALT in Jhargaon neighbouring village said ASHA supervisor and one resistant family has started taking immunization.

Thus, when we move from checking the boxes to facilitating a process, we can create an environment which can catalyse community response.