LADY HEALTH WORKERS (LHWs)
To achieve the goals of the program, Lady Health Workers (LHWs) from various communities are choosen. LHWs are educated and belong to their own communities, reducing the unfamiliarity differences. A trained LHW can provide all basic health care facilites to her own community. Supervisors are appointed to supervise the work of LHW. Uptil now, National Programme for Family
Planning and Primary Health care has around 48000 LHWs working in almost every part of Punjab and providing primary health care facilities to the community. LHWs can provide promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services to the community. They also educate and provide Family Planning methods and MCH services. Scope of Work for LHWs
LHWs are posted in their community and are involved in the following type of work:
Organize community by developing women groups and health committees
Act as liaison between formal health system and community
Register all eligible couples (married women age 15-49 years)
Disseminate health education message on hygiene and sanitation
Provide condoms, oral pills to eligible couples and refer clients needing IUD (intrauterine device) insertions, contraceptive surgery and injectables
Coordinate with TBAs (traditional birth attendants) and local health facilities
Undertake nutritional interventions such as anemia control, growth monitoring, and emphasize on breast feeding and weaning practices
Coordinate with EPI (extended program of immunization) for immunization of mothers against tetanus and children against six immunizable diseases
Carry out prevention and treatment of minor ailments
LHWs Involvement in Other Activities
Beside provision of necessary services listed above, LHWs are also involved in other activities like:
Door to door Polio immunization during NPIDs (National Polio immunization days)
Distribution of ORS (Oral Rehydration Salt) in flood/rain affected areas in Punjab
Assistance in relief activities like Gas Poisoning and Hepatitis outbreak in Lahore
A Single LHW is posted for 1000 houses. LHWs report to their supervisors once per week and submit their progress reports and HMIS tools. They also discuss their problems and give suggestions for further improvement of the system. Every LHW maintains a book register of logistics. Provision of Primary Health Care Services by the Lady Health Workers
LHWs provide following primary heatlh care services to the community:
Treatment of minor ailments (and referral to the First level care facility when required). Registration of pregnant mothers for antenatal care. Counseling of pregnant and lactating mothers in related issues. Screening on neonate for referral requiring problems. Weight monitoring of the children under three years of age. Counseling regarding breast feeding and weaning. Counseling of eligible couples regarding family planning. Provision of medicines and contraceptives to patients and clients. HMIS Tools Used By LHWs
LHWs are also trained about the basic tools for HMIS. They use:
Map of Community
Family (Khandan) register
Community chart
Treatment and Family Planning register
Diary
Mother and Child Health Card
Referral slips
Monthly report of LHW
List of Drugs/Medicines provided by LHWs
As a part of curative services, LHWs are responsible for the provision following medicines/items at the time of need:
Paracetamol Tabs 500mg
Chloroquine Tabs 150mg
Mabendazole Tabs 100mg
ORS
Cotrimoxazole Syp. Ferrous Fumerate 150mg + Folic Acid 0.5mg
Cotton Bandages 4” x 3m
Benzyl Benzoate Lotion
Paracetamol Syp 120mg/ml
Chloroquine Syp 50mg/5ml
Piperazine Syp 500ml/5ml
Polymyxin “B” Sulphate Eye Ointment (4 Gram)
B.complex Syp Complex
Antiseptic Lotion
List of Non-Drug Items
Cotton Wool (250 Gram)
Sticking Plaster 1” x 5m
Pencil Torch with Two Cells
Thermometer Clinical
Scissors
LHW Kit Bags
Salter Scale with Trouser
