Samina (second from left) with her health team and client (center).

Recently, The Challenge Initiative (TCI) held a Family Health Day as part of a family planning inreach in Karachi’s West District in Pakistan. To prepare for these activities, Dr. Huma Tabassum, a TCI master coach – who also serves as the family planning focal person – conducted an on-the-job training where a staff nurse named Samina learned how to insert the contraceptive implant Jadelle.

On-the-job training is a TCI’s high-impact interventions that supports the concept of employees learning best at their job under the guidance of their supervisors. It also underscores TCI’s commitment to its coaching model, where TCI trains master coaches, who then cascade down that training to others on their staff. At the Family Health Day, a Lady Health Supervisor brought a family planning client to Samina, who inserted an implant for the first time after being trained by her coach.

Dr. Huma Tabassum (left) with Samina (center), the nurse trained on implant insertion, and client (right).

Samina said she is grateful to Dr. Tabassum, the coach who trained her in implant insertion and she also thanked the TCI team for its interventions. The client noted that she was pleased with the services offered at the Family Health Day and said she did not feel any pain or discomfort during the insertion process.

Family Health Days are increasing the number of family planning clients among regular health clients in Sindh Province. Lady health workers mobilize clients with information about family planning services, while health staff coached by TCI trickle down their training to other staff including nurses. Family Health Days and family planning inreach camps offer not only learning and training, but also an opportunity to create family planning champions among lady health workers and nursing staff.