The first ultrasound training course was recently completed at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Freetown. Leading the class was Marianna Zanette, a gynecologist with CUAMM, and an expert on reproductive health and neonatal diagnosis. The three days of intensive theory will be followed up soon by practical exercises for the about 20 health workers from Sierra Leone taking the course.
This is a small piece of the puzzle of the important work that Doctors with Africa CUAMM is doing in the country to help rebuild its health system that is very weak and fragile due to the scourge of Ebola.
Excellent results are being achieved in Pujehun too.
The “Reborn in Pujehun” project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, among others, has seen a significant increase in activity in its first six months. A few numbers speak volumes: January to June 2016, there were 808 pediatric referrals for young patients, who from 77 health centers throughout the country, were taken to the hospital because they needed adequate care, compared to 820 patients in 2015.
A similar figure is seen for obstetric emergencies that were brought to the hospital with the new ambulance service. In the first seven months of this year, 561 women came to Pujehun by ambulance, needing help to give birth, compared to 352 in the same period last year. This is clear evidence of the success of the effort that Doctors with Africa CUAMM is making to join the local community and the hospital in the district of Pujehun. This gave these children the chance to get the care they needed and let many women give birth safely and with support.
