There has been much written on the subject of Home Based Care (HBC), all with various alternative approaches. The Amani UK approach is, we believe, the most cost effective and sustainable, working as it does with the system of Community Health Workers, now enjoying wide support in the region.

HBC functions on a needs basis. Transport is a key issue and it is better therefore to have a trained local person reaching out to where the patients are. An allowance towards drugs is also an essential element but controlled through the Project staff.

In addition to each group having a member trained in HBC, there is also a strong desire for Project staff members to receive HBC training in order to give informed support to their groups. Likewise, the youth groups also like to participate in the programme, not only to prepare for potential sickness within their own groups, but with their greater mobility they feel able to provide support to other groups.

The close involvement of staff members enables the natural integration of HBC within the Primary Health Care philosophy of addressing the issues of water supply and management, hygiene, pollution and the causes and prevention of diseases.