In September 2008 we started working with the Petifu community. Petifu is a cluster of villages, totalling some 3000 people with very little sanitation, no power and no doctor for 30 miles. 

Largely a Muslim, farming community many people in the village can not afford the time or money to travel to Magburuka for further medical help. Being in the bush and away from a main road means that they never see aid organisations or get assistance. The nurse in the village provides all the healthcare and birthing, in rooms that were unlit, impossible to clean, ill equipped and tiny. She has received just 18 months training to then be able to serve all 3000 villagers health requirements.

 

 

 

 

       The old health centre at Petifu

 

 

 

 

  

CHT made plans with the village elders to make a new health centre. The villagers committed to making the required amount of country blocks for the building and to start to fell trees to make planks. This happened during the dry season and in March 2009 CHT visited the village and provided the cement for the villagers to make the foundation blocks. CHT then visited on a regular basis to liaise with the contractor and when the building was at roof height supply the materials for the tin roof.

 

On completion of the building (May 2009) CHT and the village initiated a Health Centre Committee, to oversee the finishing of the interior, support the nurse and manage the building going forward. The Committee is made up of a Chairman, Administrator, 2 bank signatories and 8 elders. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a result of Petifu having a well managed, well built health centre CHT have been able to secure outside services for the village. Marie Stopes are providing free family planning clinics, a Doctor is visiting regularly and performing HIV testing/education and The World Food Programme are making regular visits to feed the malnourished under 5's and pregnant women. The nurse also receives a free supply of chlorination tablets from CHT to ensure that drinking water at the health centre is safe.

 

CHT also visits the village school annually and provides pencils and materials to be used as a reward system for students.