The KCHP sponsored a community health worker training on Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, for 20 Agents de Santé Communautaire (ASCs) working the zone of Khossanto.
What is Onchocerciasis?
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is the world's second leading infectious cause of blindness and is endemic in the region surrounding Saraya. The small black flies that transmits the disease thrive along the beds of the nearby Gambia and Falémé Rivers. The fly’s noxious bite injects parasites into the victims skin which cause intense itching and irritation of the skin. The greatest danger lies in that if not properly treated, infection can result in irreversible blindness.
In remote villages where formal healthcare is often inaccessible, ASCs hold a considerably high degree of responsibility and are well respected in their communities. In the case of Onchocerciasis, ASCs are relied upon to distribute and administer the annual treatment of Ivermectin, a drug used to fight the progression of the disease. In order to halt the spread of the disease in many endemic areas, every person in every community—with few exceptions, e.g., children under five years and pregnant women do not receive treatment—is treated annually with a single dose of the drug Ivermectin.
In the district of Saraya, government funding for the Onchocerciasis program was severely cut this year, and as a result, treatment coverage rates fell to as low as 60%. As a result, ACS
training was not well funded or organized, resulting in problems during community treatments, including the improper dosages of children, which can have serious side effects.
In order to ensure that this coming year would see successful and thorough coverage, ASCs were invited to participate in KCHP's supplemental training day. The day commenced with an introduction to the disease, including a discussion of the symptoms and dangers of the disease. 
A lively discussion in both French and Malinké ensued. More experienced ASCs were encouraged to come to the front of the classroom to answer questions raised by newer ASCs, as seen in the above photo.
The day culminated in a delicious meal shared by the ACS's and KCHP staff.
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