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INPUTSAND PROCESSCaring for the Carers 5.12Providing professional home-based care isundoubtedly a stressful occupation. It takesgreat resilience to deal on a daily basis withPLHA, many of whom are chronically ill, somesuffering from depression, and some requiringterminal care. Furthermore, expanding numbersof PLHA and increasing expectations for care,support and welfare can only add to stress levelswithin the HCTs.Focus group discussions with the HCTsrevealed the perceived need for increased skillsin stress management, both for PLHA but alsofor the HCTs themselves. All of the HCTs alsoindicated the need for increased and improvedsupervision and support.Many of the HCTs raised concerns abouthealth and safety at work. In order to addressthese, and other issues related to better supportfor the HCTs, the evaluation offers the followingsuggestions and recommendations:• HCNG should provide ongoing training instress management to all HCTs• HCNG should provide more opportunitiesfor regular sharing of experiences andproblem solving, perhaps by bringingtogether clusters of 2 or 3 HCTs• NGOs/ MOH should provide motorcyclehelmets to all members of the HCTs• HCNG should investigate costs andbenefits of providing a package of basichealth cover to all HCT members. (MoHstaff and some NGO staff already havesuch cover)It is recommended that the HCNGaddresses the concerns of HCTs related tohealth and safety at work.pg 61