Author: Redazione Cuamm

Integrating clean cooking and health and nutrition strategies

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Household air pollution (HAP) resulting mainly from biomass fuels used in cooking is linked to negative health impacts and premature death, affecting nearly half of the global population-especially in low-income, resource-limited communities.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified HAP as a major environmental health risk, responsible for 7.7% of global deaths in 2016. Women and children in these communities are the most affected, accounting for 60% of all HAP-related deaths.

Currently, 970 million people in Africa lack access to sustainable cooking solutions, and Angola mirrors this challenge, with only 50% of the population having access to clean cooking. In Uíge Province, this rate drops to 25%, and the continued reliance on wood and charcoal for cooking exacerbates deforestation, pollution, and health risks. Ensuring access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa by transitioning from traditional to improved cookstoves (ICS) is also recognized as a key step towards SDGs, including those related to:

  • environmental sustainability (13),
  • sustainable cities and communities (11),
  • clean energy (7),
  • gender equality (5),
  • poverty reduction (1),
  • health (3).

Through the distribution of ICS units, the project aims to integrating health and nutrition promotion activities, and strengthen the local health system. Furthermore, the adoption of improved cooking methods will generate high-quality carbon credits in compliance with the Gold Standard for voluntary carbon offset projects contributing to Eni’s decarbonization goals of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

To address the issue the Clean Cooking project implemented in in collaboration with the Salesians of Don Bosco, Eni and the Government of Angola promotes sustainable cooking in rural and peri-urban areas of Uige province, northern Angola, by replacing traditional stoves with improved cookstoves (ICS). The project, launched in April 2024, aims to distribute 200.000 ICS units in the target areas by 2028, reaching approximately 1 million people. The project also integrates health and behavioral change interventions, enhancing its overall impact and sustainability.

The health component aims to raise awareness about basic nutrition and hygiene and is being implemented across 16 municipalities in Uíge province. Simultaneously, a Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategy using the “Familia Modelo” methodology is being employed to improve domestic hygiene behaviors and reduce the prevalence of malnutrition, malaria and infectious diseases at the household level. Trained Community Health Workers (CHWs) are in charge of engaging families in behavior promotion and assist them in building practical hygiene devices. The intervention targets 3 selected municipalities namely Damba Quitexe and Songo through training, community engagement, baseline data collection, monthly behavior promotion, and quarterly monitoring.

Furthermore, the project’s strategy also entails a “Health Plus” component. Its main goal is to promote safer, healthier cooking methods through the distribution of improved cook stoves, while addressing community awareness, health worker skill development, and access to health services. The component focuses on managing malnutrition through prevention, community screening, and care for Moderate and Severe Acute Malnutrition (MAM and SAM), aiming to reduce Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) in the region.

To strengthen the provision of healthcare services to the population and ensure adeguate support throughout the level of care, Therapeutic Program for Patients with Malnutrition in the Outpatient Clinic (PTPAs) are planned to be established in health centers for the treatment of Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) without complications, while health staff will be trained on proper screening and referral protocols. Simultaneously, Special Nutrition Units (UENs) will be set up in three hospitals to manage complicated SAM, supported by child-friendly spaces and open kitchens for nutrition education. The project also supports local authorities through training and joint health facility supervision. The goal is to build local capacity for sustainable malnutrition treatment and prevention.

Renovated spaces and colorful paintings at Pujehun hospital

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A functional and beautiful place is also a place where better care can be provided. If that place happens to be the pediatric ward of a small hospital in Sierra Leone, where dozens of patients are admitted every day, then perhaps some paintings and a bit of color can make a hospitalization less frightening.

For the past eight months, the Pujheun hospital has been the place where Annachiara and Andrea spend most of their time. She is a CUAMM pediatrician, he is a volunteer physiotherapist. They arrive at the hospital early in the morning and leave when the daylight is over. This facility is a reference center for the area. Last year alone, 1,869 children were admitted to the pediatric ward which also includes a neonatal unit and a malnutrition unit.

Moving between the beds in the ward, Annachiara and Andrea witness the daily suffering of hospitalized children, the worry of their mothers, and the difficulty of the medical staff in working to the best of their ability in a context where resources are far from sufficient. Despite the high number of patients admitted, the hospital is constantly and overwhelmingly understaffed. Annachiara and Andrea, together with a nurse and a medical intern, are part of the CUAMM team that works alongside the local staff: just one medical technician and three nurses.

“We do what we can with what we have, but the staff is limited and the space is too. To manage to admit everyone to the ward, we were forced to place up to three children in a single bed. Apart from being impractical, this overcrowding was also dangerous for the patients themselves,” says Annachiara Zin, Cuamm pediatrician.

The Pujheun hospital hosts a large number of malnourished children. Most are under five years old and do not receive the proper intake of proteins, minerals, vitamins, and energy during their growth phase. Many arrive at the hospital in critical condition, either because of the distance from the facility or because the mothers do not recognize the warning signs.

“Malnutrition also leads to immunodeficiency,” explains Annachiara. “It means the immune system of these children is extremely weak, and any infection can cost them their lives. This is why it’s crucial to ensure proper care spaces.”

The need for better care spaces is what motivated the reorganization of the pediatric ward at Pujheun, a project led by CUAMM that Annachiara and Andrea, together with Maria—a volunteer nurse— contributed in making happen by working on it with patience and determination. They were supported by both CUAMM team on the field, many friends and family members and CUAMM donors who wanted to contribute to the project.

“We knew the pediatric ward’s conditions weren’t ideal even before we left, and in agreement with Cuamm, we had planned this reorganization,” explains Andrea Pasinato, physiotherapist. “After a few months in the ward, we understood what interventions were needed and started with the floor plans”.

Today, the ward is a different place. What was once a large overcrowded room is now a spacious area divided into two sections: one for emergencies and another for less severe admissions. There are enough beds, each with its own mosquito net, essential in a place with high malaria rates. The mothers have lockers to store the bags they bring to the hospital, unaware of how long they will be away from home. The plumbing has also been fixed to ensure running water in the ward. This new division allows the staff to provide the right care to each patient and move around more easily in a well-organized space. The walls also look different: the faded yellow has been replaced with colorful paintings depicting jellyfish, monkeys, and birds. A project commissioned to local artists, which isn’t just an aesthetic touch but a way to promote sensory stimulation for the malnourished young patients.

“In a few months, we will leave, but we like to think that the effort we put into reorganizing this ward will serve as both a new starting point for the doctors to come and as a gesture of care toward the young patients and their families,” says Annachiara Zin, Cuamm pediatrician.

Supply of solar panels installation

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Doctors with Africa CUAMM, under the project titled ” Safe Motherhood Support for Maternity and Neonatal Care-PMM,” is launching the present simplified procedure to select an eligible  solar panel installation service provider in Dase Jabo health center West Showa Zone, Wolisso Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

01 Invitation form

02 Contract notice

03 Instructions to bidders

Annex Ia – Declaration of Honour

Annex II & III Technical_Specifications technical offer updated 4,4,25

Annex IV – Legal Identity form

Annex V – Financial Identification

Annex VI – Financial offer

Annex VII – Administrative Compliance Grid

Annex VIII – Evaluation Grid

Annex IX – Contract Form

Annex X – Special Conditions

Annex XI – General Conditions for Service Contracts

Annex XII – Checklist

Malnutrition when adherence to treatment is lifesaving

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According to the latest data by UNICEF, WHO and World Bank 30% of under-five children in Tanzania suffers from severe malnutrition, 3,3% from acute malnutrition. Patricia is one of them. She was admitted to Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital a few months ago and treated by CUAMM’s team. Dodoma is one of the regions with the highest prevalence of malnutrition in the Country reaching 40%, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been working here since 2022.

Patricia is two and a half years old and comes from the village of Chiwondo, in the Chamwino district. Her aunt took her to the hospital as her mother stayed home to look after her baby. After a couple of weeks at the malnutrition unit, she was discharged. Once she returned home, she was supposed to take Plumpynut a few times a day for several weeks, to aid in her nutritional rehabilitation. Plumpynut is a vital therapeutic food made of peanut paste enriched with proteins and minerals. Patricia’s family was supposed to collect the necessary Plumpynut to help her recover fully at Dabalo health center, near their village where CUAMM works. However, something went wrong, and Patricia never received it.

Fortunately, another aunt of Patricia, went to visit the family and immediately noticed that the little girl wasn’t well. She decided to take Patricia to the Dabalo health center, where she was diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and admitted for treatment. Patricia’s aunt quickly realized that medical attention was necessary to save her niece. For some time, Patricia’s aunt has been attending the Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND), community health and nutrition days that include activities to raise awareness about child malnutrition. On those occasions CUAMM provides community’s members useful information on how to recognize a case of malnutrition, where to seek help, and how to handle the necessary treatments at home.

It is also thanks to these moments that Patricia is now much better. After receiving care at the Dabalo health center, the little girl returned home and completed her treatment with Plumpynut.

Patricia and her mother at home in the village of Chiwondo

Many factors contribute to malnutrition. Therefore, an integrated and multisectoral approach is necessary to address this emergency in a sustainable way. CUAMM is committed to implementing the “Diverse Food Systems: Improving nutrition through support for a diversified and sustainable food system” project in Dodoma, with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and the Zanetti Foundation.

The Tanzanian government is supported in implementing national strategic plans for nutrition, with the aim of contributing to improving the quality of services in the Dodoma area, particularly for managing cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Additionally, the integration of early childhood development (ECD) is promoted, with the goal of contributing to the physical and cognitive development of children by encouraging interaction with the community and play, even through the creation of toys made from local materials.

 

Tender for Supply of Biomedical Equipment.

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Doctors with Africa CUAMM, under the project titled “Restoration of Essential Health and Nutrition Services in Shire, Tigray AID 05/12882/ETH” is launching a flexible, simplified procedure to select a supplier for the supply of biomedical equipment.

01 Invitation form

02 Contract Notice 

03 Instructions to Bidders 

Annex I – Tender Form

Annex II & III Technical Specifications – Technical Offer

Annex IV – Financial offer

Annex V – Administrative Compliance Grid 

Annex VI – Evaluation Grid

Annex VII – Special Conditions

Annex IX – Contract Form

Annex IX – General Conditions for Service Contracts 

Annex X – Checklist  

 

Tender Supply of stationery and Printing Materials

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Doctors with Africa CUAMM, under the project titled ”INCLUSIVE–Strengthening prevention, equitable and inclusive care for all AID012590/06/09,” is launching the  present simplified producer to select stationery and printing press materials suppliers in the Gambela Region, Ethiopia.

01 Invitation form 

02 Contract notice 

03 Instructions to bidders 

Annex I – Tender Form

Annex Ia – Declaration of Honour

Annex II & III Spare parts – Technical Specifications technical offer 

Annex IV – Legal Identity form 

Annex V – Financial Identification

Annex VI – Financial offer

Annex VII – Administrative Compliance Grid

Annex VIII – Evaluation Grid   

Annex IX – Contract Form 

Annex X – Special Conditions 

Annex XI – General Conditions for Service Contracts 

Annex XII – Checklist 

Tender Supply of Stationery materials

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Doctors with Africa CUAMM, under the project: “Multi sectoral intervention to improve access to health of vulnerable community in Hamer district – (Project – IMPACT) – AID12669 ” is launching the present simplified procedure to select an eligible stationery materials supplier in South OMO zone, Hammer Woreda, Dimeka Town.

 

01 Invitation form

02 Contract notice

03 Instructions to bidders 

Annex I – Tender Form

Annex Ia – Declaration of Honour

Annex II & III -Technical Specifications technical offer

Annex IV – Legal Identity form

Annex V – Financial Identification

Annex VI – Financial offer

Annex VII – Administrative Compliance Grid

Annex VIII – Evaluation Grid

Annex IX – Contract Form

Annex X – Special Conditions

Annex XI – General Conditions for Service Contracts

Annex XII – Checklist 

Tender Invitation to provision of vehicle rental service

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Doctors with Africa CUAMM, under the project: “Multi sectoral intervention to improve access to health of vulnerable community in Hamer district – (Project – IMPACT) – AID12669 ” is launching the present simplified procedure to select an eligible vehicle rental service provider in South OMO zone, Hammer Woreda, Dimeka Town.

 

01 Invitation form

02 Contract Notice

03 Instructions to Bidder

Annex I – Tender Form

Annex Ia – Declaration of Honour

Annex II & III -Technical Specifications technical offer

Annex IV – Legal Identity form

Annex V – Financial Identification

Annex VI – Financial offer

Annex VII – Administrative Compliance Grid

Annex VIII – Evaluation Grid

Annex IX – Contract Form

Annex X – Special Conditions

Annex XI – General Conditions for Service Contracts 

Annex XII – Check List

Tender Invitation for the provision of medical insurance cover

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm
The International NGO Doctors with Africa CUAMM, for its implementation work financed by various donors, is launching this local open tender to select eligible insurance service providers for the procurement of medical insurance coverage.

 

01 Invitation form
02 Contract Notice
ANNEX I – Tender Form
ANNEX Ia – Declaration of Honour
Annex II & III – Technical Specifications technical offer
ANNEX IV – Legal Identity form
ANNEX V – Financial Identification
ANNEX VI Administrative Compliance Grid
ANNEX VI – Financial offer
ANNEX VII Evaluation Grid
Annex IX – Contract Form
Annex X – Special Conditions
Annex XI – General Conditions for Service Contracts
Annex XII – Check List

Improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene

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Access to clean water is a basic human right, yet it remains a privilege for the few. In 2022, 2.2 billion people still lacked access to safely managed drinking water services, while 3.5 billion people were deprived of access to safely managed sanitation.

Universal access to clean water is closely related to hygiene and sanitation services, known as WASH. Inadequate access to WASH services is responsible for as much as 10% of the global burden of disease, contributing to 1.6 million preventable deaths each year, including 60% of all deaths due to diarrheal diseases. In 2022, 3.5 billion people still lacked safely managed sanitation.

Goal 6 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims precisely at ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation. The accomplishment of this goal is a necessary condition for achieving the other SDGs related to poverty, health, education, gender equality and environment. The most vulnerable regions in terms of water availability and access are often located in areas under severe environmental stress and difficult economic and political conditions, where consequently also access to safely managed WASH services in both households and key community facilities, such as health facilities and schools, is very limited.

Over the years CUAMM has implemented numerous WASH projects across several African countries, particularly in Mozambique, Angola and Uganda among others with the key objective of improving access to clean water, sanitation and promoting adoption of desired hygiene and sanitation practices to curb morbidity and mortality due to preventable environmental factors. Our approach is comprehensive and includes a multi-pronged approach that includes infrastructure
development, community-based behavioral change and health prevention and promotion interventions, hygiene and sanitation in healthcare facilities and outbreak prevention and response.

CUAMM places a strong emphasis on improving water, sanitation and hygiene practices (WASH) at community, household, and individual levels. We achieve this by integrating WASH messaging and education within our community-based health promotion and mobilization campaigns through the Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategy.

In Cunene province, Angola, thanks to the commitment of the agents from the GAS groups – Grupo de Água e Saneamento (water management groups in English), communities are being sensitized and informed about the correct use of wells to ensure good hygiene and sanitation practices and prevent waste. In addition,  GAS is also responsible for collecting a “symbolic” monthly payment from the households using the water point, to manage maintenance but also to increase ownership.
The intervention has been implemented following a Community Management Model, actively involving all members throughout the process and making agents of change themselves. The activity is part of the project “Reducing nutritional vulnerability in the municipalities of Cahama and Ombadja through community surveillance and increasing access to safe water sources”, supported by Camões I.P. under the FRESAN Programme in partnership with the Municipal Administrations and the Municipal Directorates of Energy and Water and the Health.

In Mozambique, the “Familia Modelo” program has provided a platform for CUAMM to engage with community members, including parents and caregivers on WASH-related topics. By empowering families to become role models and champions of good WASH practices, CUAMM has created a multiplier effect, where the impact of school-based interventions is amplified through the active participation and support of the broader community.

Similarly, the “Smart Home” program in Uganda focuses on educating families on the importance of proper handwashing, safe water storage, and maintaining a cleaner living environment. By linking community-based WASH interventions with this household-level program, CUAMM ensures that knowledge and skills are applied at home, creating a more comprehensive and sustainable approach.