The Women’s Health Project (WHP) team of Society for Family Health, Enugu Territory, partnered with Dr. S. C Igboanugo, an NYSC member, to conduct a comprehensive health outreach, covering cervical cancer screening, HIV Testing Services, short term family planning services and water treatment activities on the 8^th of February 2017, at Awa Town Hall, Awa Town, Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.

Considering the isolated nature of the community and the low awareness level of community members on basic health issues, the outreach was designed to bring health services closer to the poor and vulnerable in the community. Traditional town announcers were used to mobilize the community and prepare them for the outreach activities, while advocacies were used to reach community/opinion leaders who supported with community mobilization.

The outreach was graced by the Orumba North LGA Chairman who was represented by the HOD Health, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Anambra State University – Prof. Obi S.A. Obikeze, and other dignitaries from the community. Various teams of SFH like; GFM, S&D, GFHIV and M&E were present and participated fully in the outreach. The event had Over 100 men and women of reproductive age in attendance.

Activities during the outreach included messages on the following; Malaria prevention and treatment, HIV&AIDS prevention, family planning, cervical cancer screening and treatment, water treatment and purification demonstration using PUR.  Services provided include cervical cancer screening, HIV testing services, family planning services, malaria testing using Rapid Diagnostic Testing (RDT) and water treatment.

Over 40 women were screened for cervical cancer, and 20 women accessed short term family planning methods, especially, oral pills and cycle beads. 45 men and women received HIV testing services while over 70 men and women got sachets of PUR water purifier for home use.

The outreach was a huge success that raised community awareness based on the number of services provided in one day and responses from community members and their leaders. President General of Awa Community Town Union appreciated SFH for raising the bar in community level intervention as it had been neglected for some time and concluded by adding that another visit would be much appreciated for the benefit of other adjoining communities.