HealthProm

Tatiana and I recently visited HealthProm’s project in Tajikistan to supervise the Mellow Parenting Groups and also hold seminars for health officials on the importance of early intervention in child development.

What was encouraging to see is that in both areas we are creating and strengthening trusting relationships with local people, from mothers with disabled children to public health officials.

The goal of the Mellow Parenting groups is not to treat children or to discuss their illnesses, but to help parents discuss and share their personal experiences and feelings and to learn from each other. An increasing number of women are showing an interest in taking part in the program.

Tanya and I working at the Baby Home

HealthProm is working with its Tajik partners to address the real needs and priorities of families who have children with additional needs. The model is innovative and is leading the way in Early Years care in Tajikistan.

Feedback from the mothers has highlighted the importance of the groups in the support that they provide to them and the positive effects this has had in other aspects of their lives.

Through the project’s partnership with the Ministry of Health, we conducted two seminars for health professionals. The goal was to increase knowledge on the importance of early intervention for child development and also to raise awareness of issues such as autism which is often misunderstood.

Consultations at the baby home attached to the project and with groups of parents were also well received. We addressed practical issues in caring for children with disabilities and highlighted the impact of the work that has been done with these children showing the progress that they have made.

If you would like to see more pictures from the visit, please visit our Flickr page.

Learn more about HealthProm in Tajikistan.

Written by: Svyatoslav Dovbnya & Tatiana Morozova, HealthProm social care consultants

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