Category: News

Empowering Refugees the experience of CHWs in Ethiopia

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

“The training I took not only strengthened my ability to serve but also empowered me to protect my own family. I have learned, I have grown and I have found strength in the support and commitment CUAMM has shown to my people. For that, I am deeply grateful” Ruey Tut Pal is a South Sudanese Refugee living in Ngunyyiel Refugee camp. In 2020 he took part in health trainings offered by CUAMM and joined the team as a Community Health Worker, soon after he became a Supervisor. “Working with CUAMM alongside both national and international teams have shaped me in ways I never imagined” he claimed.

Located in southwestern Ethiopia near the South Sudanese border, Gambella region has hosted a large number of mostly South Sudanese refugees since 2014. Today, more than 395,000 refugees are living in seven camps, including Ngunyyiel.

In this camp, CHWs conduct daily house-to-house visits to deliver key health messages, assess children’s vaccination status, remind families about critical health appointments such as immunization and antenatal care (ANC), and trace defaulters children and pregnant women who have missed their scheduled care. They also identify children who have never been vaccinated and link them to the immunization services.  In collaboration with healthcare workers, they support outreach vaccination campaigns to reach unserved populations.

“One of their most impactful initiatives is the Tea Talk Sessions – said Daniel Frau, CUAMM Area Manager in Gambella. Twice a week, these community gatherings which are predominantly attended by pregnant and lactating women offer a platform for health education, feedback collection, and community dialogue. During these sessions, CHWs, midwives, and nutrition officers identify unvaccinated children, women missing ANC visits, and screen for malnutrition”.

Community Health Workers – CHWs are an essential pillar in delivering and sustaining primary health care services among refugees. By living and working within the community, CHWs are often the first to recognize signs of illness or complications in pregnant women and children and can therefore help overcoming the first delay, the delay in seeking care which is a major contributor to preventable maternal and child deaths. Their early intervention ensures that health conditions are addressed before they become severe, reinforcing the principle that prevention and early detection are more effective than curative care. This frontline presence has significantly contributed to reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Nguneyyiel Refugee Camp.

“CHWs have always played a key role in CUAMM’s interventions in the region. They have always been selected from within the refugee community and this has proven to be strategic and effective approach due to the fact cultural and linguistic familiarity make the CHW’s are more likely to be accepted and respected, leading to greater community engagement to the project intervention” stated Daniel Frau.

Over the past 5 years, more than 500 CHWs have been trained by CUAMM in health-related issues to better serve the refugee populations in the bordering region of Gambella. Currently, 60 trained CHWs are deployed in Nguenyyiel refugee camp as part of the team serving in the “Emergency response to the South Sudanese crisis through an integrated and inclusive approach in health, nutrition and protection” project which is supporting two health posts located in the camp.

The contributions of CHWs have been instrumental to the success of CUAMM’s primary health care interventions in the Ngunyyiel refugee camp. Their close connection with the community, consistent engagement, and ability to mobilize and educate residents have made health services more accessible and effective. The progress made in disease prevention, maternal and child health, and immunization coverage in Nguneyyiel would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Community Health Workers.

 

 

 

Escalating displacement in Cabo Delgado CUAMM’s reponse

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

In recent weeks, attacks by non‑state armed groups (NSAGs) have intensified in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s northernmost province, resulting in the displacement of over 46,000 individuals across the districts of Chiúre, Ancuabe, and Muidumbe. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Chiúre is the most affected district, with 42,411 people displaced most of them women and children.

Since the first attack was recorded in October 2017, violence in Cabo Delgado has continued to displace and traumatise thousands of people. To date, some 865,000 people are internally displaced in the region. Most have experienced or witnessed extreme violence including killings, sexual violence, kidnappings, extortion, and villages being burnt. Many had or saw their relatives and neighbours being assassinated, decapitated, or killed by gunfire. Some have lost their entire family.

CUAMM has been working in Cabo Delgado for years. Presently, we work in Pemba providing support to women who survived gbv and in the districts of Chiure and Ancuabe by deploying mobile health clinics to take healthcare in underserved communities, including IDPs camps.

This surge in violence has severely crippled communities’ access to healthcare. In response, CUAMM has significantly expanded its operations. Mobile health clinics activities have been intensified in Chiúre and Ancuabe, providing essential healthcare services—such as maternal health, child immunizations, and general consultations—to displaced populations.

“We are working in coordination with local authorities and international partners like UNICEF and Vitol to deliver a timely response – said Giorgia Gelfi, CUAMM Country Manager. Due to security reasons our team can no longer access some areas but mobile clinics have been relocated to the area with a higher concentrations of IDPs”.

This latest surge in displacement is unfolding as humanitarian access is decreasing and funding is dropping, making it exceedingly difficult to meet the needs of the newly displaced. Despite these mounting pressures, CUAMM remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering critical healthcare—particularly to the women and children most affected by this crisis.

 

Moses made it

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

The pediatric ward of Tosamaganga Hospital, located in the Iringa region, Tanzania, receives dozens of patients daily. Children arrive with fevers, injuries from domestic accidents, or in a state of extreme weakness, often due to malnutrition, as in the case of Moses a one‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old child.

“When Moses arrived at the hospital in his mother’s arms, his condition immediately appeared very serious,” said Giulia Guerrini, pediatrics resident at Tosamaganga hospital. “His abdomen was extremely swollen, and his body was covered with edema—common signs of severe protein-energy malnutrition, known as kwashiorkor.”

Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition characterized by severe protein deficiency, a severe condition prevalent in developing countries. Originally, the term described an illness affecting a child who is no longer breastfed when a new sibling is born, typically impacting children under five years old. Contributing factors include a protein-deficient diet—mainly consisting of rice, cassava, or maize—recent infections, or weaning from breast milk.

“Knowing how to feed one’s children isn’t straightforward in contexts like this,” explains Giulia Guerrini. “Often, mothers stop breastfeeding and start feeding their children cassava flour and water. But it’s not just about availability and resources; it’s also about education and lack ok knowledge.”

The first five years of a child’s life are extremely delicate, especially in the areas where we operate. Breastfeeding, followed by proper weaning, is critical for healthy growth. Breast milk provides essential nutrients and amino acids. Even after weaning, it’s vital to ensure children receive these nutrients through other food sources. Improper weaning without essential nutrients can lead to dramatic consequences.

Moses took a long time to recover; his hospitalization was lengthy and complex. For about a month and a half, the medical staff at Tosamaganga closely monitored him, managing complications as best they could. However, he wasn’t without familial affection during his hospital stay.

Moses with one of his caregiver during hospitalization at Tosamaganga Hospital

“It was touching to see the care and concern two women, neighbors, showed Moses throughout his hospitalization. His mother had to stay home to care for her newborn, so these women took turns daily, participating in every decision regarding Moses’ health. They are mothers themselves, with families and responsibilities, yet they chose to help their friend and be mothers to Moses in that hospital room,” said Giulia.

After over forty days in the hospital, Moses’ health conditions strated improving. The edema gradually disappeared, the swelling subsided, and he started gaining weight.

Tosamaganga Hospital is a reference point in the Iringa region. As Giulia mentioned, malnutrition remains the leading cause of death for children under five in the area. In 2024 alone, Doctors with Africa treated 129 children who arrived in a state of severe malnutrition.

 

Growing together

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

In one of Mozambique’s youngest and most dynamic cities—Beira—the Catholic University (Universidade Católica de Moçambique, UCM) isn’t just an institution for higher learning: it’s a vibrant laboratory of ideas, exchange, and growth which is courageously and pragmatically shaping the future of health. Here, a new generation of doctors and nurses is being educated and trained, alongside the dedicated work of Doctors with Africa CUAMM.

We have heard about it from the testemony of Dr. Francesco Segala, from Turin, and Federica Penco, nurse from Genoa—who have been working hand-in-hand with the university since November and April respectively, thanks to a CUAMM-supported project.

“It’s a formative experience even for me, despite being here to teach,” Francesco shares.
“Our office is inside the university. We live the dynamics of a centre of excellence from within—one that a great many Catholic universities in Africa and the Lusophone world look to as a point of reference.”

UCM’s pedagogical method is innovative: designed around the so-called “based learning” approach, it places students at the centre of the educational process. Small tutor‑led groups guide them step by step.

For Federica—working in an academic setting for the first time—the welcome has been warm:

“My colleagues and the students involved me right away. Despite my imperfect Portuguese, they correct me, support me, listen to me—and they ask me to contribute my own experience.”

One of UCM’s most pioneering initiatives is the Saúde Familiar programme—launched over twenty years ago: from the very first year, each student is assigned to five or six families in the bairro of Chipangara, located right across the campus. These are communities often lacking electricity or running water, exposed to infectious diseases and severe health vulnerabilities. Over a four-year period, students follow these family units: they visit them, record health issues, and accompany them—if needed—to local health centres.

“It’s a powerful message to send students into the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods to knock on doors and ask, ‘How are you? What’s going on here? How are your children?’ ” Francesco explains.
“I’ve never seen anything like this at a Western university. It’s a lesson in medicine and humanity rolled into one.”

Starting this September—and thanks to CUAMM’s support—the project will be enriched with a new research activity: a prospective cohort study to monitor key poverty-related infectious diseases—HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, helminthiasis. The goal: produce an up-to-date snapshot and design targeted future interventions. But the transformation is already underway.

“Being part of Mozambique’s nursing revolution is both a beautiful and necessary challenge,” Federica admits.
“UCM graduated its first nursing cohort only in 2009, but today the profession is gaining recognition and autonomy. Here, a new generation of care professionals is being built. And step by step, real change is happening.”

Enough is enough

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Dear Friends,

Enough is enough.
Enough destruction, enough death, enough violence.
We must shout it aloud, ring it with bells and proclaim it in every possible way — as many have done — to break the silence and halt this relentless march toward the destruction and massacre of innocent lives in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

We want to make noise, as so many others are doing — believers and non-believers, women and men of goodwill, people of all backgrounds and ages — to once again raise our voices and demand a ceasefire.

We all strongly condemn the October 7th tragedy caused by Hamas. We firmly reject all forms of terrorism, all wars — even those that remain unnoticed — but together we must also say enough to the killing of innocents.

“We want peace!”
Just a few days ago, Pope Leo XIV made this call, together with young people from around the world gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Jubilee.
And the Italian President Sergio Mattarella spoke clearly and forcefully:

“The situation in Gaza is becoming more dramatic and intolerable with each passing day; we hope that the announced pauses will translate into genuine ceasefires,” he said, stressing that “starving an entire population, from children to the elderly, is inhumane.”

“Break the silence.” That is what a group of professors from the University of Padua and many other voices from the academic world are urgently calling for in a petition published recently in The Lancet.
As CUAMM, we have also signed it to denounce “the severe food insecurity and risk of starvation for the entire population, and a life expectancy at birth reduced by around 35 years in 2024.”

That signature is a way to say loud and clear: in the face of such atrocities — even if they are happening far from where we work — we have the responsibility to make noise. Just as it is a moral imperative and a concrete daily commitment for us to always keep Africa and its development at the center, and to make every effort to seek paths of dialogue, of listening to others, of mutual welcome and respect.

We will bear witness to all of this on November 22 in Padua, during the CUAMM Annual Meeting.
It is our tangible way of joining all men and women of goodwill to build a shared path toward the future — beyond political and ideological divisions — along the road of dialogue, understanding, and peace.

Father Dante Carraro – CUAMM Director General

 

© Photo by Mohammed Ibrahim

Annual Report 2024

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

Doctors with Africa CUAMM Annual Report is an account of our activities both in Italy and across the 9 African countries we work in.

Over the past year, we have provided care to over 2 million patients, assisted 272.557 births, treated 7.236 malnourished children both in hospitals and hard-to-reach areas. In addition, we have trained 4.876 health workers, rehabilitated health facilities and furnished consumables.
These activities are part of our mandate to promote access to adequate health care for the most vulnerable populations in Africa therefore protect their lives and dignity.
BROWSE THE ANNUAL REPORT 2024

Training FBOs on leadership, management & governance

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A three-day training course designed to strengthen leadership, management, and governance skills among Catholic Sister health professionals has just come to an end in Wolisso, Ethiopia. The intensive program, tailored for those working in the health sector, aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to lead and govern health systems more effectively.

In Ethiopia, as in many African countries, FBOs are crucial in delivering quality health services to the most vulnerable populations. Often located in the last mile, FBOs are frequently on the front lines of service delivery. They maintain close contact with local communities and are well-positioned to recognize and address the real needs of the poorest, often delivering services in remote areas. However, FBOs are frequently overlooked when it comes to supplies, human resources, and funding. Additionally, they may lack formal education and the necessary competencies to manage and lead health facilities effectively.

The St. Luke Hospital in Wolisso, where the training was hosted is indeed a model in terms of management and service provision. Since its inauguration in 2000, CUAMM has been supporting this Catholic Hospital which to date stands as a point of reference for the surrounding districts of Goro, Wolisso, and Wonchi.

The course brought together 34 Catholic Sister professionals from 14 zones across three different regions — Central Ethiopia Region, Oromia, and Tigray — identified by CUAMM through an extensive mapping process. Participants included Sisters from various Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), serving in diverse roles such as managers, nurses, and health assistants, and working in health posts, health centres, and general hospitals. On this occasion, Ethiopian Bishop Lukas Fikre, CUAMM Director General Father Dante Carraro, and the Bishop of Padua and CUAMM President, Claudio Cipolla, visited the training to personally congratulate the participants for their unwavering commitment to health promotion.

The meeting offered an engaging learning experience focused on strengthening health systems and improving service delivery across Ethiopia. Through interactive presentations, group-based learning, personal reflection, project work, and guided portfolio development, participants explored key concepts such as Ethiopia’s healthcare environment, policies, strategies, and reforms; leadership and management practices; good governance in health programs and institutions and resource management.

To ensure maximum impact, the training included both formative and summative evaluations. Daily feedback, group exercises, and reflective activities helped assess ongoing learning. A final assessment — made up of a post-test (35%) and a team-based project (65%) — was offered to ensure participants had left with practical, applicable skills.

The course, offered by CUAMM with the financial support of Conrad Hilton Foundation represents a critical investment in building the capacity of Catholic health professionals to lead more effectively, manage resources efficiently, and strengthen health service governance across Ethiopia.

 

DISCOVER WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH FBOS ACROSS AFRICA

 

A new blood bank for Karamoja

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday 23rd July, 2025 at Moroto Regional Referral Hospital to mark the beginning of construction works for a new blood bank, a critical infrastructure project aimed at improving access to safe blood in the Karamoja sub-region. The project is being implemented by Doctors with Africa CUAMM, with funding support from the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda. This was in an event officiated by the Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda H. E. Kevin Colgan. Other dignitaries in presence were the Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health in Uganda, Dr Okware Joseph, CUAMM Country Representative Dr Peter Lochoro, the hospital administration, representatives from the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, Moroto district officials among others.

The construction of the blood bank comes as part of a broader initiative to strengthen health systems in underserved regions by CUAMM. Once completed, the facility will ensure timely availability of safe blood for patients in need, especially mothers experiencing complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Peter Lochoro, Country Representative of Doctors with Africa CUAMM, emphasized the importance of the facility:

“This blood bank is a culmination of a number of efforts tracking the pain gaps in Karamoja. With this, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital is increasing their rightful roles as a regional referral hospital. He recognized the district leadership of Moroto district for the warm relationship with donors and partners like CUAMM hence the good results that are being witnessed. He also appreciated the support from the Embassy of Ireland that has made all this possible through their generous funding.”

Dr Peter noted that with the initial blood collection, storage and distribution center, over 6600 people had been transfused in one year compared to the baseline of 5200 people. A 110% increase in transfusions for mothers who needed blood during pregnancy or delivery had also been noted reducing maternal death from 29 to 20 people in one year.

The Ambassador H. E. Kevin Colgan of the Embassy of Ireland also remarked:

“Access to safe, timely blood transfusion services is one of the most critical and too often overlooked components of an effective health system. It can mean the difference between life and death for a mother suffering postpartum haemorrhage, a child with severe anaemia or a trauma victim in urgent need of care. For a longtime, the lack of blood storage and supply capacity in Karamoja has limited the region’s ability to save lives. Today, we take an important step forward. This new blood bank will help ensure that life-saving blood is available when and where it is needed most. It is a symbol of hope and resilience for this region, and a major milestone in our shared journey towards equitable health care for all.”

He added that the Embassy was proud to support the new blood bank as part of that vision. To him, it is their belief that every mother deserves a safe birth, every child deserves a healthy start in life, and every health worker deserves the tools to provide quality care. The hospital administration and the district leadership welcomed the initiative, noting that the facility will help reduce maternal and child mortality rates and improve emergency response capacity in Karamoja. Previously, the region has struggled with frequent blood shortages, leading to preventable deaths and pledging their full support to ensure full utilization.

The 1.8 billion blood bank will include cold storage units, screening and processing laboratories, and donor facilities. Construction is expected to be completed within the next 5 months, and the facility will be staffed by trained personnel from the Ministry of Health with ongoing technical support from CUAMM.

In addition to the construction of the blood bank, a 200 million mothers’ waiting shelter will also be constructed. This facility will accommodate mothers whose babies are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, offering them shelter and dignity in place of the hospital verandas where they currently wait.

The groundbreaking for both facilities represents a major milestone in the journey toward a healthier Karamoja. As stakeholders reaffirm their commitment to sustainable healthcare, these projects stand as a testament to the power of effective partnerships between government, international donors, and implementing organizations in improving health outcomes in the region.

 

CUAMM Awarded in China the Study on Health, Behavior, and Climate Change

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The International Conference on Climate Leadership concluded yesterday in Harbin, China, where Doctors with Africa CUAMM received the Best Paper Award for presenting a study protocol investigating the effectiveness of interventions aimed at preventing infectious diseases linked to climate change—such as malaria and cholera—in the most vulnerable provinces of Mozambique. The study, carried out in collaboration with UNICEF, was recognized among the best presentations of the conference for its scientific rigor, methodological innovation, and global relevance.

Climate change is a real emergency: in Mozambique alone, starting in 2019, cyclones Idai, Kenneth, Guambe, Freddy, and Chido have impacted the lives of more than three million people, destroyed 360,000 homes, displaced over 60,000 families, and caused 42,000 cases of malaria and 20,000 cases of cholera. This, despite the fact that the country contributes less than 0.01% of the world’s cumulative CO₂ emissions from the burning of oil, coal, and natural gas.

In this context, from 2022 to 2024, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, in collaboration with UNICEF, implemented the Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) intervention “Familia Modelo”, aimed at promoting low-cost preventive practices in response to the growing risk of waterborne and vector-borne infectious diseases among communities most exposed and vulnerable to the consequences of extreme climate events.

“Our previous experience provided us with valuable baseline data, highlighting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to understand such complex phenomena and to implement concrete, effective interventions—especially in a context that is increasingly vulnerable to health crises caused by climate change,” explains Edoardo Occa, author of the study and CUAMM community health expert.

In fact, the first published study showed that the intervention led to a significant improvement in prevention behaviors: a 58% increase in proper hand hygiene and a 50% increase in the collection and safe storage of water. From the fruitful collaboration with UNICEF Global and UNICEF Mozambique, a study protocol was developed and presented at the International Conference on Climate Leadership (July 21–22, 2025, Harbin, China), organized by University College London. The conference brought together scholars from over 30 countries to address climate change through an interdisciplinary lens, including topics from health, urban planning, and policymaking.

“The study is a randomized controlled trial involving 3 provinces (Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Zambezia), 76 villages, and over 3,000 families. The main goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of the SBC intervention in reducing the incidence of acute watery diarrhea (AWD), while also considering modifying factors related to extreme weather events. Comparing the intervention group with a control group not exposed to the intervention will provide a robust study design that will also reflect the impact of climate change on communities,” explains Francesco Segala, study author and CUAMM project manager in Mozambique, who presented the protocol to the conference audience.

The intervention includes community radio broadcasts, theatrical performances, the involvement of religious and traditional leaders, and public recognition of “model families,” to foster a supportive social environment for the collective adoption of preventive behaviors.

The evaluation will rely on surveys, direct observation, and local clinical surveillance data, also integrating climate-related variables. This will allow researchers—through statistical modeling and behavioral science—to assess whether the intervention’s effectiveness varies in villages affected by extreme weather events such as cyclones and tropical storms. This is a crucial element for adapting prevention strategies to the new risks imposed by climate change.

“Having this work recognized in such a prestigious international setting is a major achievement for CUAMM, which has long been committed to research—building scientific evidence in the most challenging contexts and generating value through direct fieldwork with communities. We brought the voices of the most vulnerable communities—those who pay the price of a climate crisis driven by fossil fuel overuse—to the attention of experts and academia,” comments Giovanni Putoto, CUAMM Head of Programming and Operational Research.

CUAMM has contributed a vital perspective on the Global South and vulnerable populations, and the award represents an important acknowledgment of the role the organization can and must play in terms of climate leadership.

 

Leave No One Behind CUAMM in Apulia

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It is in the Capitanata area, a district in the province of Foggia, that Doctors with Africa CUAMM is renewing its commitment in Apulia. Quietly launched in 2015 by the local group Doctors with Africa CUAMM Bari, the proximity-based healthcare intervention, carried out as part of the Su.Pr.Eme 2 project, focuses on providing healthcare to marginalized groups—mainly seasonal and migrant agricultural workers — living in informal settlements such as Casa Sankara and Arena. The initiative has since expanded to the municipalities of Nardò (LE), Turi (BA), and Terlizzi (BAT), with seasonal activities.

The Apulia region hosts approximately 138,000 foreign nationals, most of whom reside in the provinces of Bari and Foggia, where agriculture is the predominant economic activity. The local agri-food industry relies heavily on the contributions of seasonal and migrant workers to meet the demands of planting, harvesting, and processing crops. They work long hours in the fields and live on the fringes of society in informal settlements located outside urban centers. These settlements vary in size depending on geography and season, with peaks in population during the summer months when over 6,000 people are estimated to arrive for the harvest. Some agricultural workers remain there year-round due to the lack of alternative housing, living in extremely precarious conditions in what are commonly referred to as “ghettos.”

Although we dislike the term, the image of isolation and marginalization it conveys is unfortunately very true. These are often squatted buildings, farmhouses, or shantytowns where migrant workers live in a state of constant social, economic, and health exclusion. While some more organized environments exist—like the Boncuri guesthouse near Nardò—the condition of marginalization remains a constant.

“The living conditions of these people have a significant impact on their health,” said Lucia Raho, CUAMM Medical Coordinator. “Even in the more dignified settings, like the Boncuri guesthouse, living conditions are far from ideal for many reasons, and this ultimately affects their health.”

CUAMM’s work

CUAMM’s ongoing commitment in the province of Foggia, and its seasonal work in the municipalities of Nardò (LE), Turi (BA), and Terlizzi (BAT), is a proximity-based healthcare initiative aimed at ensuring access to primary services for migrant populations. In collaboration with AReSS, the Apulia Region, and local health authorities (ASLs), these efforts seek to improve access to local services for vulnerable groups, with a focus on social inclusion.

“I remember the first time I visited these areas,” said Lucia Raho. “I had been working in a hospital for years, and with other volunteer doctors from CUAMM Bari, we decided to bring some basic equipment and see for ourselves what the situation was and what the most urgent needs might be. What I saw didn’t seem real—I couldn’t believe that just around the corner, in my own city, people were living in such conditions.”

The Cuamm medical teams encounter a wide range of issues, often worsened by the lack of timely medical intervention. Among those treated, cases of diabetes, hypertension, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal or dermatological conditions related to poor hygiene are common.

To provide basic medical services, CUAMM’s multidisciplinary teams travel in a mobile clinic to reach informal settlements in the province of Foggia, as well as those in Turi, Terlizzi, and the Boncuri guesthouse in Nardò.

“Providing proximity-based care means having doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, and volunteers assisting patients and referring them to the national healthcare system when necessary,” said Andrea Atzori, Head of International Relations. “Through our work in Apulia, CUAMM aims to support migrants, especially seasonal workers who are vulnerable to exploitation and at high risk of being subjected to illegal labor practices.”

 

Barriers to Healthcare Access

In the informal settlements of Apulia where CUAMM operates, only 8% of people have a general practitioner. For most, proximity-based care is their only access point to healthcare.

“What we do—thanks also to close collaboration with social workers—is build a bridge between the healthcare system and marginalized communities who face language barriers, prejudice, and stereotypes,” said Cesare De Vergilio, community doctor and CUAMM volunteer.

Social, economic, and health-related isolation affects not only seasonal migrant workers but also people experiencing homelessness and members of the Roma and Sinti communities. With financial support from the Department of Welfare of the Municipality of Bari, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, in collaboration with the Caps social cooperative and Psychologists for the People, is also working in the Roma and Sinti settlement of Japigia. There, a Proximity Socio-Health Center is active, offering prevention, counseling, and care services to members of the community and other marginalized groups, including homeless individuals in the municipality of Bari.

“Healthcare access is a challenge for the Roma and Sinti people living in this settlement. Most of them lack regular documents, and only a few have a health card, so they don’t seek medical care. The outreach unit gives them access to basic services they would otherwise be excluded from, and this is highly appreciated by the entire community,” said Daniel Tomescu, who has been a community liaison for Japigia for 25 years.

While our work continues steadily in nine sub-Saharan African countries, our mission in Apulia is a reminder that no one should be left behind and that the right to health, access to care, and human dignity are principles worth defending—principles on which more inclusive and compassionate communities can be built.

CUAMM’s interventions in Apulia—specifically in the provinces of Foggia, Bari, and Barletta-Andria-Trani—are carried out as part of the Su.Pr.Eme. project, a five-year multi-fund program financed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI) 2021–2027, in synergy with the National Inclusion Plan 2021–2027.