When malaria strikes, Modester goes the extra mile – literally. As a community health worker in Zambia’s remote Rufunsa district, Modester walks hours to provide families with essential health care. Her dedication and knowledge have earned her great respect in the community, where people affectionately call her “nurse.”
Modester lives with 4 of her 7 children and 10 grandchildren. She teaches community members about malaria transmission and prevention, diagnoses cases with rapid tests, administers medication for mild cases, and brings people with severe cases to the nearest clinic – a challenging 2.5-hour walk away from her home.
“If someone is positive, I visit them again the next day just to see how they’re doing,” she says. “I am very passionate about helping the community.”
Despite facing challenges like limited transport, lack of water and electricity and most recently disruptions in the supply of rapid tests and medications, Modester is a lifeline in the fight against malaria and other deadly diseases.
Zambia is one of 8 African countries that is part of the Global Fund’s Africa Frontline First Catalytic Fund which was launched with private sector partners Johnson & Johnson Foundation and the Skoll Foundation. Investments from the fund are used to strengthen the skills of community health workers to improve community health.