Adherence & Retention

The PIH community health workers are trained to recognize the side effects of AVRs and know the warning signs that an HIV or TB patient is getting sicker. The health workers tell the nurse at the clinic that their patient needs help. The clinical staff arranges to have the patient brought to the hospital or center for follow up.

PIH works in very rural areas, so it's better for the the clinical staff to drive out and get the patient than asking the CHW to bring them in.

In areas where public transportation is available, it makes sense to budget for emergency transportation so that the community health workers can bring very sick patients in to see a doctor.

Transportation means might differ from one site to another.

For example in Lesotho many times the acompagnateurs needed to hire a horse or a car to bring a sick patient to the clinic and the fee was always covered by the clinic.Also when a patient is referred to a hospital whether for xray or for admission the clinic covers the transportation fees.