AFRO-NETS> The Drum Beat - 127 - Suriname - Health Communication

[Warren Feek <wfeek@comminit.com>]

The Drum Beat - 127 - Suriname - Health Communication
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Apologies: The Communication Initiative web site was not accessible 
for 36 hours on Jan 18 and 19, 2002 due to router problems at our 
ISP. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

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DB Classifieds - Vacancies will be issued Jan 23. For information 
about placing your vacant posts in DB Classifieds, please contact 
Carey Hooge <chooge@comminit.com>

***

SURINAME - HEALTH 

1. At present Suriname's population of 450,000 is faced with a range 
of socio-economic problems that seriously threaten the health of the 
population, and especially the health of women and children. A recent 
survey conducted by UNICEF indicates that poverty - those living be-
low the poverty line - is 52% in urban areas, 61% in rural areas and 
91% in the interior. As with other parts of the Caribbean, there has 
been a shift from acute illness and infectious diseases to social 
morbidities caused or exacerbated by individual risk taking behaviour 
and also by environmental factors. Addressing challenges such as 
HIV/AIDS, dengue and other lifestyle-related diseases depends primar-
ily upon social change. Interventions must address family and commu-
nity issues, and there is an urgent need for innovative educational 
approaches spanning generational and cultural gaps. People in Suri-
name have widespread access to mass media - 90% of the population in 
the coastal areas and Paramaribo have access to radio and television, 
and there is widespread access to radio in the interior.

http://www.comminit.com/issuestrends/sld-3878.html


SURINAME - HEALTH COMMUNICATION

2. Healthy Schools Project - The project was initiated upon the re-
quests made from various schools asking for assistance in upgrading 
the sanitation facilities that resulted in poor hygiene amongst many 
of the students. Activities included surveying 10 schools in 3 dis-
tricts on water and sanitation, renovations at 2 selected schools of 
the water supply facilities, washrooms and toilet facilities, and 
playground drainage, newspaper articles, and poster displays. At the 
start of the new school year, PAHO organized and conducted training 
workshops for all teachers on school sanitation and hygiene educa-
tion. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3879.html 
Contact Adrianus (Ton) Vlugman <vlugmana@sur.paho.org>


3. Evaluation of the National Immunisation Programme - The purpose of 
the evaluation was to assess the current status of planning, organi-
sation and execution of services of the immunisation programme. The 
strengths, weaknesses and the factors that facilitate and hinder the 
achievement of objectives of the programme were also defined. The 
data gathered has been used for timely decision making and to develop 
a five year plan of action toward strengthening the programme. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3880.html 
Contact Primnath Ritoe <ritoepri@sur.paho.org>


4. Out of School Youth & HIV/AIDS Perceptions - this project obtained 
information about perceptions of HIV/AIDS by out-of-school youth 
(ages 11-21) in the Districts of Marowijne, Nickerie, Paramaribo, 
Brokopondo, and Sipaliwini. A total of 133 youth, 70 boys and 63 
girls, participated in 15 focus group discussions. The main obstacle 
to the use of condoms appears to be the negative meanings (mistrust, 
admission of illness) that are attached to condom use. The study 
clearly indicated the need for HIV/AIDS prevention programs to reach 
out-of-school youth. Accurate and complete information using appro-
priate media such as films or social marketing were identified as 
possible solutions to reverse the negative trends identified. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3882.html 
Contact Dr. Carol Vlassoff <vlassoff@sur.paho.org>


5. Malaria Microscopy Training - With the low level of laboratory 
training in Suriname, and low levels of literacy, a unique methodol-
ogy had to be taken in training. Manuals for 2 6-week long workshops 
were adapted to a primarily visual and practical presentation to ac-
commodate the moderately literate participants. Microscopy was tar-
geted since it is thought to be the most significant portion of early 
diagnosis and treatment. 100% of the participants passed the train-
ing. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3883.html 
Contact Dr. Marthelise Eersel <eerselmar@sur.paho.org>


6. Bed Net Projects - The success of this programme lies in the 
awareness raised among people about the prevention of malaria, and 
the empowerment of women's groups. As a part of WHO's Roll Back Ma-
laria Programme, PAHO gave technical advice and expertise to a pro-
ject initiated by the Medical Mission to promote impregnated bed nets 
in the interior of Suriname through community participation. Private 
donations of bed net material, sewing machines and insecticides were 
brought to women's groups in the interior. The women's groups were 
trained to make and impregnate the nets for hammocks and beds. Upon 
construction, the nets were sold to villagers and the profits were 
used to purchase more materials. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3884.html 
Contact Dr. Marthelise Eersel <eerselmar@sur.paho.org>


7. Inter-religious Health Committee (IGC) - In October 1998, a con-
ference was held on health and religion where different religious 
groups made presentations, and committed to proceed on joint activi-
ties. Participating religious groups included Hindu, Jewish, Chris-
tian, Muslim and Baha'i. Similarities in attitudes towards health 
were identified and the IGC was created. A pamphlet called "Religion 
& Health" was produced, containing health statements that were backed 
and supported by all religious leaders. The statements covered topics 
including nutrition, society, hygiene, family life and social behav-
iours with a focus on health promotion. Other activities have in-
cluded the publication of a reference book on religious ideas and 
traditions about healthy lifestyle and preparations for a campaign 
for healthy living. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3885.html 
Contact Elly van Kanten <vankante@sur.paho.org>


8. Capacity Building for HIV/AIDS Care - this project creates a part-
nership between the Surinamese HIV/AIDS organisation - Claudia A 
Foundation, and the Canadian organisation - Dalhousie University to 
work together to reduce the social impact of HIV/AIDS in Suriname. 
Capacity building at every level of Claudia A benefits both staff and 
clients through administrative upgrading and training, restructuring 
management, creating support groups, meeting basic care, and sanita-
tion needs, building sustainable fund-raising strategies and estab-
lishing a viable volunteer programme. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3886.html 
Contact Dr. Carol Vlassoff <vlassoff@sur.paho.org>


9. Food Safety Activities - this programme aims to engage government 
and private sector organisations in a common discussion on food 
safety policies and practices. The first collaboration meeting be-
tween private sector and government on this issue met in March 2001. 
The respective needs and expectation of both public and private sec-
tor participants were discussed. Activities have included: training 
of food handlers and street vendors; campaigns through TV and radio; 
weekly safety tips in local newspapers; and distribution of posters 
and stickers with food safety tips. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3887.html 
Contact Caroline Gilds <francis_cor@yahoo.com>


10. Global Restructuring of Regional Health Services (RGD) & Commu-
nity Participation in Primary Health Care - Within the restructuring 
project of the RGD, one of the main accomplishments was to initiate 
community participation in Primary Health Care. In each district of 
the coastal regions targeted, a Community Participation committee was 
established, which set priorities for management of health issues and 
mobilized the community members to impact their own communities. Par-
ticipation was also promoted through local health fairs, with the co-
operation of government and NGOs. A contest was established where 
school youth submitted unique proposals for plans to mobilize their 
community members. In one of the districts in the East of the coun-
try, UNICEF took over the initiative and with the help of the Commu-
nity Participation committee conducted a training for Village Health 
Assistants in the smaller villages alongside the river. 
http://www.comminit.com/pds01-2002/sld-3888.html
Contact Elly van Kanten <vankante@sur.paho.org>

***

New Commentary - http://www.comminit.com/index.html#commentary

Indigenous and Pragmatic Initiative in the Management of Residual 
Forest: The Experience of Marcos Flores - A report from the Philip-
pines sheds light on the realities of today's forest dwellers. 
http://www.comminit.com/Commentary/sld-3915.html


***

The Drum Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for de-
velopment activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement 
or support by The Partners. 

Please send material for The Drum Beat to 
The Editor - Deborah Heimann 
mailto:dheimann@comminit.com

Many thanks to Brooke Hayes with her support with this issue of The 
Drum Beat.

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