Lorena and Dominga are part of a volunteer network of over 300 community health promoters, supported by Likhaan. Every day, promoters talk to their neighbours and friends throughout neighbourhoods around Likhaan’s clinics, reaching even the most marginalized women and families with essential health information. They meet in doorways, sit at folding tables, or stand in open air markets.
“Home visits are important to reach out to families, to hear about their needs and build trust.”
Community health promoters’ role is an important one: to close the gap to optimal health created by extreme poverty, high rates of maternal and child mortality, and limited access to family planning. A lack of public funding for reproductive health, and government policies that do not support women’s health, widen the gap even more.
Every year 2,400 women and girls die in the Philippines from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The Philippines has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy in Asia. While rates in other countries are declining, the rate in the Philippines is increasing.
Community health promoters are trained by community health mobilizers, certified health workers stationed at a nearby Likhaan clinic. Since Likhaan was formed in 1995, community health promoters have been central to spreading awareness about reproductive health. They are one of the three pillars that support Likhaan’s comprehensive program to promote reproductive health in marginalized areas, alongside service delivery and advocacy.
“The promoters know the needs of the women in their community best.”
Lorena and Dominga intentionally visit homes within their own neighbourhoods. Their familiarity with the area and existing relationships make it easier to gain the trust of neighbours and spread the information they have to share.
The result is a ripple effect of information sharing. Their neighbours in turn share information with their friends, expanding shared knowledge about reproductive health.
As part of their conversations, Lorena and Dominga encourage their neighbours to visit the nearby Likhaan health clinic to access reproductive health services – completely free of charge. When they encounter more serious health concerns, Lorena and Dominga arrange for a community health mobilizer from Likhaan to follow-up directly. Community health promoters also mobilize community members to participate in advocacy organized by Likhaan to demand better health policies.
Since 1995 Likhaan has worked in the most marginalized communities in Metro Manila delivering comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care. At the national level Likhaan plays a key role in advocating for improved health systems and policies. Likhaan is known for using alternative, community-based health programs and advocacy to promote women’s reproductive health and well-being.
Inter Pares has been a proud supporter of Likhaan since it was formed.