Hope Makes Better Health Possible
Hope plays a vital role in improving health and well-being. When a mother feels hopeful, she is empowered to be more engaged in her care and the care of her children and build a trusting relationship with her health care provider. Below is Aline’s story of how trustful relationships create hope and support better quality healthcare.
Aline is a mother who is pregnant with her third child. During her previous pregnancies, she did not feel comfortable seeking medical care because she didn’t know and trust the provider. During her last pregnancy, she experienced complications. Without the support of a healthcare provider, Aline felt lonely.
Recently, Aline participated in a community health education program with her children. There, she met Shena, the community health worker in her village who eased her anxiety and spent time establishing a relationship. Shena began seeing Aline’s children regularly for check ups, keeping track of their progress and following up with Aline to ensure they had the information they needed in between appointments.
When Aline discovered she was pregnant this time, she wished to have a better medical support system, unlike her previous pregnancies. Aline began visiting Shena for her prenatal care. At each appointment, Aline’s trust and confidence in the care she received improved her hope and she is determined to follow Shena’s recommendations.
When asked about her visits with Shena, Aline shared:
“I never feel judged when I ask questions and the community health worker always listens to my concerns. I feel hopeful when I see my baby’s progress and look forward to my next visit.”
Aline says she feels valued and that her concerns are heard at her appointments with Shena. After each visit, Aline celebrates her progress report and enjoys seeing the photos Shena takes of her “baby bump” growing at each appointment. Thanks to her relationship with Shena, Aline knows the health of her family and unborn baby are in good hands.
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