Category: Faith-Based Organisations

Fostering capabilities among french speaking FBOs

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Access to training opportunities is a key step in empowering and strengthening FBOs, yet language barriers can lead to missed opportunities. In order to overcome such challenge and promote equal access to training, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has just held its first french-taught course on leadership and networking skills. The training followed the syllabus of the previous english edition, held in July.

  • “Opening remarks” Father Dante Carraro – CUAMM Director General
  • “Connect, strengthen and empower Faith-Based Organisations in delivering healthcare services” Mr. Andrea Atzori – Head of International Relations at CUAMM
  • “Supporting Faith-Based Organizations delivering Healthcare in Africa” Dr. Parotto – Clinical Advisor and Anesthesiologist, Padua’s University Hospital
  • “The cycle of the project” Mrs. Anna Cavestro – Project Manager
  • “Partnerships with Governments & Local Authorities: the experience of UCMB” Dr. Kasyaba – Assistant Executive Secretary of the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB)

    «Participants were encouraged to foster a culture of collaboration, to value the contributions of each team member, and to maintain open and transparent communication» stated the Diocesan Director at Centre de Charité Saint Camille de Djougou – Father Yvon Serge Hounsou from Ordre des Serviteurs des malades, Benin.

43 people representing 22 different faith-based organizations from 11 African countries attended the virtual training course organized by CUAMM thanks to the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Professionals such as nurses, medical doctors and health facility’s managers were among the learners who were represented by both ordained and no-ordained members of religious congregations.

«This event was a valuable opportunity for participants from various religious institutes to strengthen their skills and knowledge. As the speakers shared their experiences and intervention strategies, we were able to learn in order to prepare ourselves to better serve our communities» said brother Cosimo, nurse from Ordre hospitalier de St. Jean de Dieu, currently serving at Saint Jean De Dieu Hospital Tanguiéta, Benin.

Since 2019, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been committed to strengthening the capacity and resilience of staff working in faith-based health facilities across the Africa region by offering training packages on different topics including healthcare facilities management, clinical aspects, project management, disaster preparedness and resource mobilization. While the courses were only available in English until now,  “Compétences en matière de leadership et de mise en réseau” intends to facilitate access and learning to french speaking professionals deployed in the provision of health care across Africa representing a first step in the promotion of a more inclusive and effective training package. Training activities are promoted in the context of “Supporting FBOs on the frontline of healthcare service delivery in Africa”, the program launched by CUAMM in 2019 with the final goal of strengthening the capacity and resilience of staff working in faith-based health facilities through training, technical assistance and advocacy activities. To date, 150 faith-based organizations located in 26 countries, are involved in the program.

TRAINING FBOs LEADERSHIP AND NETWORKING SKILLS

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

163 people representing 79 different faith-based organizations from across the globe, mainly from the Africa Region, but also Europe, Brazil, Pakistan and USA, subscribed to the online training on Leadership and networking skills organized by CUAMM thanks to the support of the Conrad N.  Hilton Foundation.

The training aimed at addressing two fundamental issues: leadership skills and the ability and importance of networking in health cooperation projects, where building strong connections between religious congregations, government partners, and institutions, is crucial.

Despite the key role played by FBOs in the provision of healthcare services to the most vulnerable populations, numerous challenges undermine their capacity and efficiency such as lack of human resources, weak capacity in disaster management and financial constraints. The training moved from the need to strengthen FBOs capacity in building strong collaborations and partnerships that can indeed make a difference in their health service provision therefore in people’s life.

Why is networking so important? How do you find donors? Which are the key to effective health management?

Those and many others were the questions addressed in the training on leadership and networking skills, attended on June 26. Following the opening remarks by CUAMM Director General – Father Dante Carraro, three modules have been offered to the participants:

  • “Connect, strengthen and empower Faith-Based Organisations in delivering healthcare services” Mr. Andrea Atzori – Head of International Relations at CUAMM
  • “Supporting Faith-Based Organizations delivering Healthcare in Africa” Dr. Parotto – Clinical Advisor and Anesthesiologist, Padua’s University Hospital
  • “Partnerships with Governments & Local Authorities: the experience of UCMB” Dr. Kasyaba – Assistant Executive Secretary of the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB)

The training is part of a wider package designed for FBOs representatives aiming at fostering their competencies on multiple aspects ranging from health facility management to disaster preparedness to monitoring and evaluation and more. The activity is promoted by Doctors with Africa CUAMM in the context of “Supporting FBOs on the frontline of healthcare service delivery in Africa” program launched in 2019 with the final goal of strengthening the capacity and resilience of staff working in faith-based health facilities through training, technical assistance and advocacy activities. Since its launch in 2019, 133 faith-based organizations in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa have been involved in “Supporting FBOs on the frontline of healthcare service delivery in Africa” program.

Faith-Based organizations (FBOs) are indeed crucial in delivering quality health services to the most vulnerable populations in Africa. Often located in the last mile, FBOs are frequently on the front lines of service delivery; they are in close contact with local communities and can recognize and address the real needs of the poorest, delivering up to 70% of health services in low and middle income countries. However, FBOs are often neglected in terms of supplies, human resources and funding and are not integrated into the healthcare system.

 

READ THE FEEDBACK FROM THE FIRST FRENCH EDITION

 

 

 

TRAINING FBOs ON MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Ensure quality health care at primary level by strengthening the capacities of those deployed on the frontline of healthcare service delivery is key to achieve long-lasting and effective results. This is the commitment leading the partnership between CUAMM and URSSCI, the Union of Religious in Health and Social Affairs in Ivory Coast.

In the last ten years (2012 to 2021), Ivory Coast has made significant progress in maternal, neonatal, and child health. Maternal mortality has decreased from 614 to 385 per 100,000 live births (LB), under-five mortality from 108 to 74 per 1,000 LB, and neonatal mortality from 38 to 30 per 1,000 LB. However, these rates remain high compared to the sustainable development goals (SDG). The leading causes of neonatal deaths are prematurity (31.6%), asphyxia (27.5%), and infections (20.2%) (Ivory Coast’s “Every Newborn” Action Plan 2018-2020). Achieving SDG target 3 by 2030 requires implementing high-impact interventions for mothers, newborns, and children.

In this context of improving neonatal care, the Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene, and Universal Health Coverage (MSHPCMU), through the PNSME and with CUAMM’s support, is implementing the “Health for All” project in 13 Christian faith-based health facilities. This project aims to contribute to improving the quality of health services amidst URSSCI health facilities to serve vulnerable populations, in line with national plans and priorities. Achieving this goal involves training and capacity building for health personnel in charge of managing the health centres.

As part of it, a five-days training course on essential neonatal care and resuscitation was held at the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (CERAO) in Abidjan, in March. The course offered by Doctors with Africa CUAMM and funded by Eni was co-organized by the Coordination Directorate of the National Program for Maternal and Child Health (DC-PNSME).

Thirty healthcare workers from 13 healthcare facilities of the Union of Religious in Health and Social Affairs in Ivory Coast (URSSCI) participated in the training that aimed at strengthening the clinical knowledge and skills of participants in the proper management of newborns. Among the activities performed: newborn resuscitation within the “Golden Minute,” administration of essential newborn care, infections prevention and control.

2 national paediatric trainers from the PNSME in collaboration with 2 international paediatric trainers from CUAMM in-person, engaged the attendees using a participatory approach based on theoretical and practical learning. The theoretical phase was based on teaching techniques including questions and answers, brainstorming, illustrated lectures, and discussions while practical demonstrations on anatomical models supported learning activities on essential care, neonatal resuscitation and nasogastric tube placement.

«The training we are holding are not only a fruitful occasion for health workers and providers to improve their competencies but also a mean to pursue the objectives set by the Ministry of Health who called for quality health services for all» said Dr N’guessan Rebecca paediatrician at PNSME who concluded «By supporting the PNSME in the implementation of this activity, CUAMM is enabling health workers at Primary Contact Public Health Establishments ESPC (Etablissements Sanitaires Publics de Premier contact) to improve the care of mothers, newborns and children»

The participants were assessed through initial, mid-course, and final questionnaires and gained a certificate of participation. The final evaluation highlighted the need to continue the capacity-building process for healthcare workers. Further and regular on-site  theoretical and practical training sessions are already scheduled for the next months, in collaboration with the Coordination Directorate of the National Program for Maternal and Child Health and international neonatology experts, in order to improve the capacity of facilities to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Ivory Coast.