October 30th 2024
Healthcare
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Maternity & child health
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Prevention & treatment of diseases
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Health education
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Nutrition
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Sexual & reproductive health
Maternity & child health
In countries like South Sudan and Afghanistan, essential obstetric care can prevent 90% of deaths from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. We reach even the most remote and hard to reach communities to bring healthcare services to those in need and save lives of women and children.
In Afghanistan, maternal mortality stands at 638 deaths per 100,000 live births, with a child mortality rate of 55 deaths per 1,000 live births. Decades of conflict and recent restrictions on women working in healthcare exacerbate the issue. HealthNet TPO addresses this by training midwives and establishing community-based health programmes. Similarly, in South Sudan, with maternal mortality at 789 deaths per 100,000 live births and child mortality at 78 deaths per 1,000 live births, ongoing conflict and patriarchal norms pose significant challenges.
HealthNet TPO’s efforts include healthcare provider training and community initiatives like the Boma Health Initiative. Despite progress, more work is needed to ensure adequate healthcare access for women and children in these regions.
Prevention & treatment of diseases
HealthNet TPO is deeply committed to combating preventable and treatable diseases in regions with limited healthcare access, such as Afghanistan and South Sudan. Diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrhoea remain significant challenges, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly.
In Afghanistan, where nearly half a million cases of malaria are reported annually, HealthNet TPO’s Malaria Control Programme focuses on distributing long-lasting insecticidal bed nets and antimalarial drugs while expanding diagnosis and treatment services in high-risk provinces. In 2023 alone, HealthNet TPO successfully treated 313,289 cases of malaria. In addition, tuberculosis remains a serious concern, with approximately 74,000 cases reported annually in Afghanistan.
Despite the ongoing challenges, HealthNet TPO’s programmes have provided timely prevention and treatment for nearly 20% of all reported TB cases. In both Afghanistan and South Sudan, diarrhoea is also a major public health issue, with 705,909 and 931,543 cases treated respectively in 2023.
By focusing on improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing community health centres, and implementing mobile clinics, HealthNet TPO is helping to reduce the spread of communicable diseases while supporting individuals through their recovery journeys.
Health education
Health education is a cornerstone of HealthNet TPO’s mission to improve public health outcomes in regions where healthcare access is limited. In Afghanistan and South Sudan, the organisation recognises that education is essential for preventing the spread of communicable diseases and promoting healthy behaviours.
Through its programmes, HealthNet TPO has trained over 2,866 health facility workers, including doctors, nurses, midwives, and community health workers, empowering them to provide better care to their communities. In rural areas of Afghanistan, where healthcare and information are scarce, HealthNet TPO’s community health workers and nutrition counsellors play a pivotal role in raising awareness about good nutrition, hygiene practices, and disease prevention.
These workers are often the first point of contact for families and individuals, ensuring that health messages reach even the most remote populations. In South Sudan, HealthNet TPO’s mobile clinics and educational campaigns promote proper nutrition, vaccination, and hygiene practices, helping to reduce the risk of disease and improve overall health.
Through this comprehensive approach, HealthNet TPO is not only treating illnesses but also empowering communities to take charge of their own health.
Nutrition
HealthNet TPO is committed to addressing the urgent issue of malnutrition, particularly in countries like Afghanistan and Burundi, where food insecurity and malnutrition have devastating impacts on vulnerable populations.
In Afghanistan, over 17 million people face food insecurity, with 4 million children under five and pregnant or lactating women suffering from acute malnutrition. The situation has worsened due to economic decline, unemployment, and rising food prices, leading to a nearly 50% increase in child malnutrition cases over the past year. HealthNet TPO responds by providing nutritional support to pregnant women, promoting exclusive breastfeeding, and conducting awareness campaigns on nutrition and hygiene.
Additionally, the organisation works with local healthcare providers to ensure sustainable improvements in nutrition through a multifaceted approach that covers prevention, promotion of healthy behaviours, and treatment of malnutrition. In Burundi, where 52% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition, HealthNet TPO has implemented programmes such as therapeutic feeding, nutrition education, and community-based nutrition surveillance.
For instance, through the 5-years Twiteho Amagara project (2018 – 2023), 9,500 children were treated for moderate malnutrition, and community health workers were trained to monitor child health. By addressing both immediate nutritional needs and long-term solutions, HealthNet TPO plays a crucial role in improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations in both countries.
Sexual & reproductive health
HealthNet TPO plays a critical role in improving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in conflict-affected regions, where sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) disproportionately affects women and girls. In 2023, the organisation treated and supported 17,784 SGBV survivors, offering essential care through a network of 23 safe spaces for women and girls.
HealthNet TPO has also trained 116 health workers globally on managing SGBV cases, ensuring that survivors receive the best possible clinical care and psychosocial support. Prevention is a major focus, with 913 local agents of change trained to raise awareness about SGBV in their communities. These agents provide direct support to survivors, including counselling and referrals to necessary services, helping 6,072 survivors access the care they need.
A crucial part of breaking the stigma surrounding SGBV is empowering women in healthcare leadership. In South Sudan, for example, all HealthNet TPO-supported health facilities have female chairs or co-chairs, reinforcing the importance of gender equality in healthcare governance.
Through this multi-faceted approach—combining treatment, prevention, and empowerment—HealthNet TPO continues to make strides in supporting SRH and combating SGBV in vulnerable regions.
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