Support for creation and development of a bush hospital
— Senegal —
BACKGROUND
Senegal, having a National Health Development Plan (PNDS) in place since 1998, had an infant mortality rate of nearly 77‰ in the early 2000s, much lower than that of sub-Saharan Africa (92‰). Its rural areas, however, are less protected, especially those of Kolda and Tambacounda (100‰), according to the USAID report of September 2009. Among the leading causes of death: respiratory infections, malaria, perinatal conditions and tuberculosis. In 2003, to improve access to healthcare for isolated populations, Fondation Pierre Fabre decided to support the work of the Kinkeliba association, and more specifically the creation of a medical facility located in the bush, at Wassadou (Tambacounda region).
The ground-breaking took place at the end of that year and the facility was official opened in 2005. Built on three hectares, with a medical ward, maternity ward and specialties ward, as well inpatient hospitalisation facilities with 14 beds, the medical centre has a dozen of young and motivated employees that see patients by appointment from Monday to Friday and ensure non-stop, 24/7 emergency care. Field trips are also made into the bush to treat people unable to travel to the facilities and provide them with prevention guidance. In all, a population of more than 22,000 people is covered by this centre.
Two years after it opened, the Wassadou healthcare facility is always full, and Fondation Pierre Fabre has consistently renewed its commitment to the project since 2008. This support means the medical centre can expand its treatment offer and play an essential role in realms such as the fight against malaria. In 2013, though its operations management was taken over by the association Première urgence Aide médicale internationale (PU-AMI), the Foundation continues to care for malnourished children, for people suffering fom HIV and tuberculosis, and develop the family planning centre.
Today, with the dedicated involvement of twenty employees, the Wassadou healthcare centre is fulfilling its mission with great success, counteracting a medical desert with long-term, quality healthcare.
KEY FACTS
_____
Priority
Access to quality healthcare
Programme
Since 2003
Type of involvement
Distributor
Actions
- Construction funding
- Funding of healthcare and supplies (purchase of medicines, laboratory products, dental products, funding for medical rounds)
- Funding of medical staff wages
A few days ago, one of my children fell ill. I took him in to the medical centre to see a doctor and they took very good care of us there. My son, who had malaria, was hospitalised for two days. He’s all better now, but we have a doctor’s appointment in a week for a medical check-up.”
Macouta Keita
17 ans, housewife and mother of twins
ACHIEVEMENTS AND FUTURE INITIATIVES
Achievements
22,500
care benficiaries in 2014
11,781
medical appointments in 2014, including 7,086 in general medicine and 3,610 in maternity
222
births at the medical centre in 2014
425
family planning consultations in 2014
1,267
diagnostic tests performed in 2014
20
people working in the field in 2014
Future initiatives
In 2015, Fondation Pierre Fabre has continued its financial support to help the people of Tambacounda and is working with PU-AMI to develop ways to keep the facility operational, including through the centre’s gradual integration in the Senegalese public health system.
PARTNERS
During creation of the project:
- Fondation Veolia Environnement (water supply funding)
- Population locale (Peuls, Mandingues, etc.) – (site gift, participation to construction)
Since creation of the project:
- Association Kinkeliba (creation and operations management between 2003 and 2011)
- Association Première urgence Aide médicale internationale (operations management since 2012)
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