Mukti Holds Successful Refresher Training for Swastha Shongini Team

Mukti recently organized a highly beneficial in-house refresher training program for its dedicated team of health workers, “Swastha Shonginis.” The six-day training, held from March 17 to 22 at the CINI Pailan centre, aimed to enhance the competence and professionalism of Mukti’s health workers, empowering them with crucial knowledge and skills needed for their roles in improving rural health conditions.

A total of 24 health workers attended the five-day session, which was made possible through the generous support of the Kolkata Foundation. The training program covered a wide range of topics designed to deepen the understanding of health workers in various aspects of women’s and children’s health, community mobilization, and disease prevention.

Key Topics Covered During the Training:

• Perspective Building on Women and Child Health: Health workers were introduced to the foundational concepts of health, with a focus on the specific needs of women and children. The training explored health determinants such as water, sanitation, and hygiene, emphasizing their impact on community well-being.

• Life Cycle Approach: The training placed a special focus on the health needs across different stages of life – from childhood to adolescence and adulthood, with particular attention to women’s health, addressing the issues of gender discrimination and its effects on health.
• Maternal and Child Health: Health workers gained insights into the importance of safe motherhood, child survival, and reproductive health. Topics such as menstrual hygiene, prevention and management of RTIs and STIs, the consequences of early marriage and pregnancy, and the importance of newborn care were discussed in-depth.
• Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices (IYCF): The training highlighted the importance of breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and the role of health workers in promoting healthy practices through their linkages with ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) and AWWs (Anganwadi Workers).
• Immunization and Nutrition: The participants were educated on immunization schedules, common nutritional disorders, and the significance of nutrition in maintaining health. Special emphasis was placed on low-cost nutritious food options such as Nutrimix.
• Communication and Community Mobilization: Effective communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, were emphasized as essential for health workers to engage with communities. The training also addressed organizing community meetings, conducting home visits, and the pivotal roles of health workers and their supervisors.
• Health Care Services and Government Programs: Health workers were briefed on the basics of the National Health Mission (NHM) and Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programs, along with other government services available to rural populations.
• Disease Prevention and Management: A comprehensive section on communicable diseases, including vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, was included. The training also covered the prevention, management, and first aid protocols for injuries, burns, and other emergencies. Health workers were trained on managing situations such as fractures, dog bites, snake bites, and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

The Swastha Shonginis, now armed with an enhanced understanding of health issues, are better prepared to carry out their vital roles in improving public health and community well-being. Mukti’s ongoing efforts aim to create healthier, more informed rural populations by ensuring that these health workers receive continuous training and support.

 

Gallery link: https://muktiweb.org/gallery/album/refresher-training-for-swastha-shongini-team