A look at the impact of Manbu health post

In the last 18 months we have fundraised continuously for a number of health posts. One them particularly important is Manbu. It’s very easy when working alongside people in development and medical professionals to never really ask the question ‘what impact and difference are these health post having?’. It’s obvious right – health care is a good thing! But in this blog post I’m going to explore what the data coming from Manbu is showing and see the numbers behind the assumption that are often made.

PHASE has been working with Manbu Health Post for the last eight years. In the upper settlement of Manbu, the PHASE Health Post is the only medical resource available and without it, the community would have a long walk to reach other help, especially when heavily pregnant, ill, or injured.

In an average year in Manbu, PHASE provides over 2,500 health consultations, gives family planning advice to over 325 families, provides around 170 home visits with 1590 people reached, child growth monitoring of 600 children under 5 and identifies and treats around 15 malnourished children, Antenatal services to 52 pregnant women, 25 mothers are supported to give birth safely with professional and skilled birthing support. In addition, nutrition workshops are popular and health education workshops are well attended, with nearly 4,000 people attending in total!

It’s clear we are reaching people, but I was also interested in the change over time. What have we manged to change in 8 years?

One of the areas we particularly monitor is attendance at antenatal clinics (ANC). If a mother is monitored more closely and is aware of the importance of looking after herself and the baby, outcomes are achieved for both. We also aim to increase delivery of babies at a health post or hospital so that if there are problems, the mother is in a safe place.

This table clearly demonstrates the changes the PHASE Nepal team are having in Manbu with engaging mothers and increasing trust in the health service.

Another similar area is family planning methods.

We’re seeing an increase in take up of family planning methods and an opportunity for women to make choices about their bodies and their families.

There are also interesting trends in communicable and non communicable diseases and consultation numbers. It’s clear we are having and have had a significant impact over the last 8 years. Recently the government have started construction of health post building with the aim of continuing health services. Once the building is completed, the equipment and staff deployed and trained we will move on. It is estimated this will take a year or two more and we are committed to support this health post of a successful handover.

Thank you to all who have  supported Manbu health post over the last couple of years. We should all be proud of being able to deliver an important service to this community over nearly a decade. Thank you.