Health Education Program
During the period when Moldova was part of the Soviet Union, its people depended on the state for all of their health care needs. The Soviet health care system was focused primarily on curative, clinical care rather than on health promotion and disease prevention. During the time since Moldova established its independence the country has faced a serious economic challenge that has greatly affected the delivery of health care services. As a result, Moldovans have come to realize that they must individually take greater responsibility for their own health and socio-economic welfare.
As part of the Moldovan Government’s efforts to improve the nation’s health care system, a memorandum of collaboration was signed between the Ministries of Health and Education, the National Youth Council and Peace Corps Moldova, to implement a Health Education Program beginning in 1997. The Health Education Program in the Republic of Moldova is designed to meet the needs of children, adolescents and adults for greater access to health information and education in communities leading to positive behavior change that ultimately will improve their health status.
Peace Corps Volunteers assigned to the Health Education program work in collaboration with their partners in health care facilities, local schools, and health focused NGOs. By working with these organizations the Peace Corps Volunteers are able to address the needs of people of all ages in health education within their communities.
According to the memorandum of agreement, the Peace Corps Volunteers, together with their partners, present information covering the topics of healthy nutrition, personal hygiene, fitness, prevention of substance abuse, prevention of infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS and STI) prevention of violence, environmental education and first aid. Volunteers in collaboration with their partners present health topics in a way that ensures that not only do the participants receive the information, but also that they develop their skills in the areas of communication, decision-making , critical thinking, management of emotions, ability to resist peer pressure, and relationship. Starting with 1998, Health Education Volunteers are implementing peer-education activities for youth.
During the period from 1997-2006 a total of 85 Peace Corps Volunteers have worked with the Health Education program in 59 Moldovan communities. As a result of their work numerous health care resource centers, youth centers, and specialized health education classrooms have been created. Volunteers and their partners have also translanted and created numerous written works in the domain of health education.
ATTENTI0N
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