Fatima Begum carries a medical bag that represents hope for hundreds of families. As a trained community health worker through ESDR’s healthcare program, she bridges the gap between medical professionals and her community.
A mother of three herself, Fatima understands the challenges families face in accessing healthcare. “When a mother is worried about her child’s fever at midnight, she needs someone who understands both medicine and her fears,” Fatima explains.
Her training covered basic medical care, health education, and emergency response. She learned to recognize symptoms, provide first aid, and educate families about prevention and hygiene. Most importantly, she learned to listen with compassion.
Fatima’s daily rounds take her through the community, checking on elderly residents, monitoring pregnant women, and ensuring children receive proper nutrition. She organizes health education sessions where she teaches families about disease prevention and healthy living.
“Health is not just about treating illness,” she says. “It’s about building strong communities where everyone can thrive.” Fatima’s work has significantly reduced preventable illnesses in her area, and her gentle approach has earned the trust of even the most hesitant families.
