Health navigation & emergency response for isolated island populations in Africa

-
Investigator: Lily Muldoon, MD, MPH

Location(s): Kenya; Uganda

Description

In collaboration with Organic Health Response, I have worked to design and implement an emergency response and navigation team on Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Mfangano Island is home to approximately 26,000 with limited access to health care.  In 2014, the team of ten community health workers was trained in basic first-aid, urgent care coordination, and patient advocacy. They are charged to respond quickly in the time of emergency, provide urgent care, facilitate safe emergency transport, increase health care referrals, and improve access to health facilities. Based on pilot program success, in 2016 we expanded our services to additional rural communities.