{"id":8386,"date":"2025-10-09T11:38:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T15:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/?post_type=essay&#038;p=8386"},"modified":"2025-10-09T13:01:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T17:01:59","slug":"mobile-health-teams-niger","status":"publish","type":"essay","link":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/impact-stories\/mobile-health-teams-niger\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile Health Teams Ease Suffering for Women in Rural Niger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-duotone-unset-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20250715_100637-copy-8-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8388 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20250715_100637-copy-8-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20250715_100637-copy-8-525x296.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20250715_100637-copy-8-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20250715_100637-copy-8-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20250715_100637-copy-8-2048x1153.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/577;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>J-Matassa, led by Pathfinder International in consortium with Marie Stopes International in Niger and the Association des Jeunes Filles pour la Sant\u00e9 de la Reproduction, brings mobile health teams to seven health districts in Tillab\u00e9ry and Dosso regions each month<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Safia, in her late thirties, has had eight pregnancies. Four of her children made it to their first birthdays, while the rest died shortly after birth. Painful loss and physical exhaustion are all too familiar to Safia, who lives in rural Niger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Safia suffers from uterine prolapse, a common consequence of repeated and closely spaced pregnancies, exacerbated by limited medical follow-up. Under the guidance of a health worker, Safia received an injectable contraceptive to prevent future pregnancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I had a problem with my uterus, and it continues, so I decided to put myself on a method to allow me to rest,&#8221; said Safia. Although her body got a chance to recover, she still worried about making the 14-kilometer roundtrip to the health center for her next contraceptive dose\u2014a costly and cumbersome journey from the village of Tombo Kaina where she lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, her worries have finally been put to rest with the arrival of mobile health teams in Tombo Kaina supported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/projects\/j-matassa\/\">Pathfinder\u2019s J-Matassa<\/a> project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>J-Matassa, led by Pathfinder International in consortium with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msichoices.org\/what-we-do\/where-we-work\/niger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Marie Stopes International<\/a> in Niger and the <em>Association des Jeunes Filles pour la Sant\u00e9 de la Reproduction<\/em>, brings mobile teams to seven health districts in Tillab\u00e9ry and Dosso regions each month or two, reaching 5,000 people across 336 villages from September 2024 to June 2025. The mobile teams offer integrated, lifesaving services for women and children:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>prenatal consultations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>vaccinations for children younger than 5 years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>family planning including the option to receive a long-acting contraceptive implant inserted or removed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sexually transmitted disease management and treatment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cThe team arrived this morning. I was able to pick up my Implanon right here, without moving. It makes our lives easier. We are happy to hear that they will be coming back every two months. We won&#8217;t have to go far to access our methods.&#8221; <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the mobile teams in partnership with community influencers and leaders provide information to individuals about contraception and the different methods available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mobile teams are a great way to reach rural communities with essential health care as they centralize multiple services in one place, allow for direct engagement with communities, reduce access barriers such as transportation and cost, and build trust between health workers and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Before, we had to walk to Kombili, about 12 km round trip, just to get a method. And sometimes, even after all this journey, we couldn&#8217;t find anything. We had to wait a little longer. Today, with the mobile teams coming to us, the suffering is over.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advantages of the mobile health approach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>less infrastructure to build or maintain than a stationary clinic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>optimization of staff\u2014the same team can cover several areas at a lower cost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ability to reach those most in need.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>reduced transportation costs for clients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe mobile approach is a high-impact innovation,\u201d said Dr. Asma Yaroh Gali, Pathfinder\u2019s Country Director in Niger. \u201cMobile teams reduce geographic inequalities, strengthen preventive health, and build trust with marginalized communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To increase impact and sustainability, J-Matassa designed the program to be in alignment with Niger\u2019s national health strategy, working in close collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Public Hygiene; National Education, Literacy and Language Promotion; Youth and Sports, and Population, Social Action and National Solidarity and Youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn times of limited resources, mobile services therefore offer a flexible, efficient, and equitable response, bringing essential care directly to communities, while increasing access to health services for all,\u201d said Dr. Gali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/projects\/j-matassa\/\">J-Matassa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Des \u00e9quipes mobiles soulagent les souffrances des femmes dans les zones rurales du Niger<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Safia, \u00e2g\u00e9e d&#8217;une trentaine d&#8217;ann\u00e9es, a eu huit grossesses. Quatre de ses enfants ont atteint leur premier anniversaire, tandis que les autres sont morts peu apr\u00e8s leur naissance. La douleur de la perte et l&#8217;\u00e9puisement physique sont monnaie courante pour Safia, qui vit dans une zone rurale du Niger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aujourd&#8217;hui, Safia souffre d&#8217;un prolapsus ut\u00e9rin, une cons\u00e9quence courante des grossesses r\u00e9p\u00e9t\u00e9es et rapproch\u00e9es, exacerb\u00e9e par un suivi m\u00e9dical limit\u00e9. Sous la supervision d&#8217;un agent de sant\u00e9, Safia a re\u00e7u un contraceptif injectable pour \u00e9viter de nouvelles grossesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00ab J&#8217;avais un probl\u00e8me avec mon ut\u00e9rus, et il persiste, alors j&#8217;ai d\u00e9cid\u00e9 d&#8217;opter pour une m\u00e9thode qui me permette de me reposer \u00bb, explique Safia. Bien que son corps ait eu la chance de se r\u00e9tablir, elle s&#8217;inqui\u00e9tait toujours de devoir parcourir 14 kilom\u00e8tres aller-retour jusqu&#8217;au centre de sant\u00e9 pour obtenir sa prochaine dose de contraceptif, un trajet co\u00fbteux et fastidieux depuis le village de Tombo Kaina o\u00f9 elle vit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heureusement, ses inqui\u00e9tudes ont finalement \u00e9t\u00e9 apais\u00e9es avec l&#8217;arriv\u00e9e \u00e0 Tombo Kaina d&#8217;\u00e9quipes de sant\u00e9 mobiles soutenues par le projet J-Matassa de Pathfinder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>J-Matassa, dirig\u00e9 par Pathfinder International en consortium avec Marie Stopes International au Niger et l&#8217;Association des Jeunes Filles pour la Sant\u00e9 de la Reproduction, envoie chaque mois our deux mois des \u00e9quipes mobiles dans sept districts sanitaires des r\u00e9gions de Tillab\u00e9ry et Dosso, touchant 5 000 personnes dans 336 villages entre septembre 2024 et juin 2025. Les \u00e9quipes mobiles offrent des services int\u00e9gr\u00e9s et vitaux aux femmes et aux enfants :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consultations pr\u00e9natales<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vaccinations pour les enfants de moins de 5 ans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Planning familial, y compris la possibilit\u00e9 de se faire poser ou retirer un implant contraceptif \u00e0 longue dur\u00e9e d&#8217;action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prise en charge et traitement des maladies sexuellement transmissibles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u00ab L&#8217;\u00e9quipe est arriv\u00e9e ce matin. J&#8217;ai pu r\u00e9cup\u00e9rer mon Implanon ici m\u00eame, sans avoir \u00e0 me d\u00e9placer. Cela nous facilite la vie. Nous sommes heureuses d&#8217;apprendre qu&#8217;elles reviendront tous les deux mois. Nous n&#8217;aurons plus \u00e0 aller loin pour acc\u00e9der \u00e0 nos m\u00e9thodes contraceptives. \u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>De plus, les \u00e9quipes mobiles, en partenariat avec des leaders et des personnalit\u00e9s influentes au sein des communaut\u00e9s, fournissent aux individus des informations sur la contraception et les diff\u00e9rentes m\u00e9thodes disponibles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Les \u00e9quipes mobiles constituent un excellent moyen d&#8217;apporter des soins de sant\u00e9 essentiels aux communaut\u00e9s rurales, car elles centralisent plusieurs services en un seul endroit, permettent un engagement direct avec les communaut\u00e9s, r\u00e9duisent les obstacles \u00e0 l&#8217;acc\u00e8s tels que le transport et le co\u00fbt, et renforcent la confiance entre les agents de sant\u00e9 et les communaut\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u00ab Avant, nous devions marcher jusqu&#8217;\u00e0 Kombili, soit environ 12 km aller-retour, juste pour obtenir une m\u00e9thode contraceptive. Et parfois, m\u00eame apr\u00e8s tout ce trajet, nous ne trouvions rien. Nous devions attendre encore un peu. Aujourd&#8217;hui, gr\u00e2ce aux \u00e9quipes mobiles qui viennent \u00e0 nous, cette souffrance est termin\u00e9e.\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Les avantages de l&#8217;approche mobile sont les suivants :<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Moins d&#8217;infrastructures \u00e0 construire ou \u00e0 entretenir qu&#8217;une clinique fixe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optimisation du personnel : la m\u00eame \u00e9quipe peut couvrir plusieurs zones \u00e0 moindre co\u00fbt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capacit\u00e9 \u00e0 atteindre les personnes qui en ont le plus besoin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>R\u00e9duction des frais de transport pour les clients.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00ab L&#8217;approche mobile est une innovation \u00e0 fort impact \u00bb, a d\u00e9clar\u00e9 le Dr Asma Yaroh Gali, directrice nationale de Pathfinder au Niger. \u00ab Les \u00e9quipes mobiles r\u00e9duisent les in\u00e9galit\u00e9s g\u00e9ographiques, renforcent la sant\u00e9 pr\u00e9ventive et instaurent la confiance aupr\u00e8s des communaut\u00e9s marginalis\u00e9es. \u00bb<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afin d&#8217;accro\u00eetre l&#8217;impact et la durabilit\u00e9, J-Matassa a con\u00e7u le programme en accord avec la strat\u00e9gie nationale de sant\u00e9 du Niger, en \u00e9troite collaboration avec les minist\u00e8res de la Sant\u00e9 et de l&#8217;Hygi\u00e8ne publique, de l&#8217;\u00c9ducation nationale, de l&#8217;Alphab\u00e9tisation et de la Promotion linguistique, de la Jeunesse et des Sports, ainsi que de la Population, de l&#8217;Action sociale, de la Solidarit\u00e9 nationale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00ab En p\u00e9riode de ressources limit\u00e9es, les services mobiles offrent donc une r\u00e9ponse flexible, efficace et \u00e9quitable, en apportant des soins essentiels directement aux communaut\u00e9s, tout en am\u00e9liorant l&#8217;acc\u00e8s aux services de sant\u00e9 pour tous \u00bb, a d\u00e9clar\u00e9 le Dr Gali.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pour en savoir plus sur <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/projects\/j-matassa\/\">J-Matassa<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8387,"template":"","class_list":["post-8386","essay","type-essay","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/essay\/8386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/essay"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/essay"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8387"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pathfinder.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}