The Journey of Women in Hard-to-Reach Communities to Access Family Planning Services.
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Accessing healthcare services in hard-to-reach communities is a daunting challenge, particularly for women who bear the brunt of these hardships. The story of Katushabe Dorothy, a resident of Lwabaswa in Kalangala district, vividly illustrates the struggles many women face. Katushabe needed a family planning method to avoid another early pregnancy, especially after her husband left her. With no money, she relied on her community to raise funds. Despite their support, the journey to the health facility remained fraught with difficulties.
The cheapest boat required a fee of 20,000 shillings, a substantial amount for someone in her position. Even after securing the boat fare, there was still the motorcycle fee to contend with once the boat landed. A friend came to her aid, providing the 3,000 shillings needed for the motorcycle ride. Upon reaching the health facility, Katushabe faced a long line of patients. She waited for six hours to be attended to while worrying about her three children at home who needed her care. Despite the exhaustion and anxiety, she finally received the five-year Family Planning method she needed. However, it was late, and she had nowhere to sleep. A compassionate nurse allowed her to sleep in a ward until morning. Returning home required further assistance. The local council chairperson of Lwabaswa mobilized the community once again to gather funds for her transport back.
Katushabe’s story highlights the severe limitations and obstacles women in remote areas face when seeking essential healthcare services. This emphasises the importance of accessible healthcare and the critical role that organizations like HAC play in transforming lives. Since HAC started conducting outreaches with support from Bergstrom and other supporters of these vulnerable communities, women in these communities now have reliable access to family planning methods, immunization services for their babies, and other vital health services. Katushabe’s life changed dramatically; her child is now seven, and she can focus on providing a better future for her family without the constant fear of an unplanned pregnancy.
As Katushabe expressed, “I thank HAC because as a single mother, I wouldn’t want to produce again.” Her heartfelt gratitude reflects the significant impact that accessible healthcare has on improving the quality of life for women in hard-to-reach communities.
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Written by Frances Itiang
