Celebrating Change: Clinic Openings in Rural Egypt

Abou Selim women and youth celebrating the clinic opening with the TAHSEEN 3-5 hand sign for optimal birth spacing. Source: CATALYST

Great fanfare accompanied the inaugurations of Abou Selim, Garfas and Deir Samalout rural health units in Beni Suef, Fayoum and Minia governorates as village men, women and children turned out to welcome their governors, USAID/Egypt Mission Director Dr. Kenneth Ellis and Deputy Mission Director Mary Ott who came to participate in the clinic opening ceremonies early in March 2005.

The openings celebrated much more than the physical renovations of the buildings. They celebrated the hard work and dedication of all those who have worked tirelessly for the changes the renovated clinics represent. As Dr. Ellis stated, "Renovating these clinics is about more than just improving buildings. It also mobilizes communities.” Later during a gathering of governorate officials he added, “This is one of the most poignant examples I have seen of people working together.”

Villagers listening to the words of praise and encouragement from the governor and USAID mission director. Source: CATALYST

Throughout the three-day event and throughout the three governorates one word could be heard again and again: integration. From the integration of maternal and child health into the clinical training of health unit service providers, to the integration of women, businessmen, teachers and other community members into the fabric of the clinic boards and management team, it was clear that good governance and participation are at that heart of the TAHSEEN/CATALYST intervention.

During the festivities, clinic physicians, nurses, outreach workers, laboratory technicians and Ministry of Health and Population supervisors for the raedat rifiat (community outreach) program shared their experiences, challenges and aspirations with invited guests including the governors and USAID Mission staff. Youth nominated by their schools and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to participate in in Shabab TAHSEEN Week activities, along with members of governorate youth committees and women participants from the Arab Women Speak Out program, were on hand to explain how TAHSEEN/CATALYST interventions have increased their knowledge and empowered them to mobilize others in their community. Service providers and community members alike emphasized that what differentiates TAHSEEN/CATALYST from other development projects is its emphasis on integration, teamwork and community involvement.

Fayoum Governor Dr. Mohamed Rafaat and USAID Mission Director Dr. Kenneth Ellis listen to the testimonies of women, men and youth from Garfas community. Source: CATALYST

A clinic board member and NGO representative from Garfas, Fayoum said, “TAHSEEN aims at including people, making people share in the activities. This is good. It is different from other projects because people from different authorities like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Population cooperate with each other. When people from different parts sit together and think together, this leads to good results.”

Reinforcing this viewpoint, Fayoum Governor Dr. Mohamed Rafaat addressed the crowd gathered at the Garfas community meeting saying, “It is a brilliant idea to have you managing the clinic by yourselves with people selected from the community. That gives you ownership. It is an experience and model we can replicate in other institutions here in the governorate.”

The community and clinic staff proudly welcomed invited guests during the opening day inauguration ceremonies at the Deir Samalout Rural Health Unit in Minia Governorate. Source: CATALYST

In Abou Selim and Deir Samalout villages, the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) raedat rifiat program supervisors both commented on the strength of the TAHSEEN/CATALYST model to empower raedat to be of greater service to the community by providing them with integrated family planning, reproductive health and maternal and child health care training. Their newfound ability to provide guidance and counseling on an expanded number of health issues has increased their self esteem and augmented their role within the community -- which they believe will lead to an increased demand for clinic services. The MOHP raedat supervisors, who are also trainers for the Arab Women Speak Out Program, were moved to tears by the change in the women who participated in this program that increases women’s self-esteem, self-confidence and ability to contribute to the economic well-being of their families by providing them with simple but effective negotiation and listening skills.

The enthusiasm and commitment of the MOHP rural health unit staffs, re-energized clinic boards and community residents throughout the governorate were acknowledged by a pledge of support from His Excellency General Hassan Hemeida during the community meeting that followed the Deir Samalout clinic inauguration ceremony. In a full show of support, the governor pledged L.E.100,000 (Egyptian Pounds, which is approximately $19,000 USD) to be distributed to the service improvement funds of the Minia rural health units that have been renovated in partnership with TAHSEEN/CATALYST. He promised that further contributions would be forthcoming as the clinic boards and communities in the governorate showed results in aligning and mobilizing resources in support of their community rural health units.

Beni Suef religious leader shares his thoughts about TAHSEEN/CATALYST with the community during opening ceremonies. Source: CATALYST

His Excellency Governor Dr. Mohamed Anas Gaafar joined the inauguration ceremonies at Abou Selim clinic after an early morning visit from President Mubarak. He informed the entire community and assembled guests that he had discussed the population problem with the President that very morning. He praised TAHSEEN/ CATALYST for involving all community members and talked about how he had witnessed community and religious leaders, youth, and the media talking frankly and openly about topics that were unmentionable just a few years ago.