The last/final meeting with groups of People Living with Non-Communicable Diseases was necessitated by the need to link the groups with the county and to ensure smooth transition even as the pilot phase of the IPAB project comes to an end. It was also paramount that the project ends in style by assessing the impact of the IPAB project in Vihiga. This would help in future planning of future project or even IPAB if it will be upscaled. To this end, some of the critical issues that were discussed during this meeting included the following:
- Linkage to County
- Identification of the Youth Ambassadors
- Impact of the IPAB project
KEY TAKEAWAYS AND ACTION POINTS While the agenda for the meeting was the same across the 5 groups, there were varying and divergent contributions from the members.
Linkage to County and Health Facilities
During the meetings all groups were connected to the county governmrnt systems and personel to ensure that the projects and the voices of people living with non communicable diseases continue to be heard even after the project. this was actively led by the County NCDs Coordinator. The NCDs Coordinator was flanked by Dr. Mercy, a clinician from Sabatia Sub-County Hospital. Mercy doubles as the NCDs coordinator at the hospital. On his part, NCDs Coordinator-Dr. Chelule expressed his gratitude to the IPAB project implemented by Stowelink. He submitted that the county will prioritize NCDs and see to it that it is addressed. He also mentioned that all health facilities now have necessary drugs for the PLWNCDs and that the group are at liberty to visit the nearby health facilities and be attended to. Dr. Chelule also indicated that they have increased budgeting for NCDs and that drugs will soon be dispensed free of charge. Dr. Mercy on the other hand urged the group to support each member and that the members should visit the health facilities regularly.
NCDs Youth Ambassadors
During the meeting, the groups identified two young people to participate in the online youth bootcamp. These two young people who are living with NCDs and are also caregivers would subsequently become the voice of NCDs in the County and would join the Vihiga County NCDs Chapter. This is aimed at strengthening NCDs advocacy in the County.
Impact of the IPAB project
In a focused group discussion, the group expressed how the IPAB project has been impactful. All of them would mention the project revitalized their lost hope and that through it, they felt they were human being again. Through the project, the group has been a point of solace and also providing strong social support. Others mentioned that the project has contributed to their in depth understanding of what NCDs are. Together, they vowed to replicate the lessons in their community while becoming the voice of NCDs.
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