ICCA ( INTEGRATED CHILD CARE)

This project addresses health care needs of children especially HIV/AIDS orphans , children living with HIV/AIDS and those affected by malaria.

Children suffer lots of illnesses ranging from diarrhoea. under nurishment, stanting, measles, polio, malaria and a host of others. But Malaria has been categorized as the number one for causing childhood morbidity and mortality. Many of these illnesses which devastate the Ugandan children can be avoided and prevented through education, awareness and community mobilization. Parents Concern builds awareness of the communities about the cause of malaria / other illnesses and how they can be avoided. The strategy to prevent and control the illnesses is the best if we are to save so many children, 88 children out of every 1000 die before their first birth day. This is a seriously poor health indicator.

Parents Concern works with the Ministry of Health to acquire and distribute ITNs (Insecticide Treated mosquito Nets). In the last two years we have distributed 3000 nets. The target for nets were the pregnant women, children and PLWA as these seem to be particularly vulnerable to Malaria attacks. We have also done net re-treatment at various locations and over 4200 nets were serviced. Advocacy for clean compounds is important. Local leaders (LCs), religious leaders and other community leaders are helpful in this. Parents especially pregnant mothers are encouraged to be vigilant in the advocacy campaign.

We also work with district health departments to train Homapak distributors and community child- care- givers who help to make sure that malaria homa packs reach every home and that people get treatment at the first signs of fever. We work according to the government recommended drug combination.

Promote Abstinence as a strategy to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. Sometimes AIDs symptoms manifest as fever and malaria. So we need to control both.