Several years ago Agnetta, who is in her eighties, had an amputation of her leg following a very severe infection with Jiggers, or sand flea larvae. She is now too weak to walk and has also lost her sight.
Elderly subsistence farmers like Agnetta receive only a very small stipend from the Government every 4 months but she has been supported by visits from Rosemary, one of the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) at Buburi Clinic.
The CHVs play a vital role in helping to identify the poorest and most vulnerable members of their community who are eligible for free treatment under the Social Fund scheme at Buburi Clinic. Buburi Clinic’s Social Policy provides a lifeline to support people like Agnetta who otherwise would receive little to no treatment.