Calliaqua hosts Early Childhood Health outreach programme

The Early Childhood Health Outreach (ECHO) programme hosted awareness week in the Calliaqua Health District.{{more}}

Parents and caregivers in the area gained additional information on proper childrearing practices, as Community Health Aides (CHAs), assigned to the Early Childhood Health Outreach (ECHO) programme sensitized them about these practices.

The week of activities ran from the November 22 – 26.

The CHAs disseminated brochures, story books and engaged parents and caregivers in the demonstration of making inexpensive homemade toys. The health centres in the Calliaqua Health District are Stubbs, Enhams, Sion Hill, Calliaqua and Belair. Kathleen Mandeville, Coordinator for the ECHO programme, said “these areas were targeted based on the fact that this is where the programme is being piloted.”

ECHO is an initiative of the Caribbean Child Support Initiative (CCSI) and the Ministry of Health and Environment of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with support from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the Bernard van Leer Foundation(BvLF).

The ECHO programme is a community- based service that targets pregnant women and families with children from birth to three years who may be “at risk”.

The programme integrates early stimulation and other aspects of the Roving Caregivers Programme (RCP).

CHAs were trained in core concepts of the RCP, in preparation for home visits in the targeted communities. They have been trained in all aspects of Early Childhood Health Development, including physical, cognitive, behavioral social and psychological development.