Integrated Health programs
- HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control
- Integrated primary eye care
- Reproductive health Project
Awareness Campaigns on HIV/AIDS Prevention
As part of its project in environment, health and education, awareness raising sessions, seminars and training workshops have been conducted in conjunction with prevention and control of primary eye disease, trachoma control with water and hygiene education, face washing using SAFE and WASH strategy, contributing to improvement of environmental sanitation for minimizing the risk of the spread of contaminated infectious and communicable disease. These activities were supported through the financial assistance of UNICEF, Afar.
Community Mobilization for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS
This program is implemented in partnership with the Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO) of Ethiopia and Save the Children Federation USA in eleven woredas (districts) in zones 2, 3, and 4 of the Afar Regional State. The objective is to reduce the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS/STD and improve the social and economic status of vulnerable groups through vocational training and job creation. The following activities have been implemented:
Sensitization Meetings:
Stakeholders’ sensitization meetings were designed to ensure responsive participation by community leaders and decision-makers at the grassroots level. NACID conducted a series of meetings in all 11 woredas, involving stakeholders and incorporating community norms and cultural values.
Recruiting and Training Community-Based Health Educators (CBHEs):
CBHEs, selected by the community, serve as trusted health educators. They include school teachers, educators, social motivators, and youth and women activists. After training, CBHEs communicate between the local administration, the implementing agency, and the community, emphasizing accountability and positive change.
Care and Support:
In addition to prevention through education and awareness, care and support have been provided to over 200 persons living with HIV/AIDS and AIDS orphans since the program’s commencement.
Community Mobilization and IEC Activities:
Community mobilization and education focusing on HIV/AIDS prevention have been widely undertaken by CBHEs. Activities include home-to-home visits, public demonstrations, and distribution of IEC materials. A total of 42,000 home-to-home visits were made, reaching 275,750 people. Schools were approached with peer educators and youth clubs. The “Afar Dagu” method, involving public education by the roadside, informed over 24,569 people. Additionally, 17,500 leaflets, 5,200 booklets, and 2,500 posters were disseminated in cooperation with the AIDS Resource Center and Federal HAPCO.