We are still in the Central African Republic with the project, started on January 1, 2021, Health and hygiene for the communities of Bossemptélé, funded by the FONDATION ASSISTANCE INTERNATIONALE (FAI). Specifically, we are in the province of Ouham-Pendé: here the living conditions of local populations are precarious, primary services are lacking and the province is one of the poorest on the planet. The civil war and the social and political unrest that has persisted for years in the country undermine the possibility of creating the necessary infrastructure and a significant improvement in the quality of life.

Salute e Sviluppo and the Camillian Delegation in Central Africa have long been committed to carrying out projects aimed at creating the basis for a development that can be meaningful and lasting. Especially John Paul II Hospital is a great achievement: it has been working with local communities for years and is one of the few health centres able to offer the necessary treatment to the entire population of the region, which is afflicted by a range of diseases caused by poverty, lack of water, but also by poor hygiene education.

Primary objective of the project Health and hygiene for the communities of Bossemptélé is provide medical supplies, medicines and medical personnel to ensure ever higher standards at the John Paul II Hospital and build the necessary infrastructure for hospital work: wells and photovoltaic system are fundamental to power the implementation of all health activities.

The secondary objective is just as important as the primary objective, because the absence of education is the cause of easily avoidable diseases. To address this issue, the project includes a series of weekly meetings with hospital health workers on specific topics such as nutrition, vitamins, tobacco, alcohol, personal hygiene, vaccinations, malaria prevention, environmental hygiene, etc. Not only within the hospital facilities, but through a mobile clinic team, awareness campaigns are also carried out in the rural areas surrounding Bossemptélé.

Patients, neighboring communities and young people are the main beneficiaries: about 6,000 patients of the Hospital will have access to high-level medical care; about 3,500 people belonging tothe local communities will be more aware and prepared in health and hygiene and 20 children/ and each year will receive professional education in health.

The Camillian delegation in the Central African Republic will continue to manage the hospital by providing health services for the local population and by activating involvement and operational collaboration with local public dispensaries. TheMinistry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education, Association pour les Œuvres Médicales des Eglises en Centrafrique – ASSOMESCA and the Order of the Carmelite Sisters of Bossemptélé are all local actors involved in the implementation of the project.

Duration of the project is 30 months, but aims to create sustainable and lasting structures that represent a reference point for local communities and can effectively improve health conditions in the Ouham-Pendé region.

We will keep you updated on all developments!

We would like to thank FONDATION ASSISTANCE INTERNATIONALE (FAI)for its contribution.