Voices for Hope award is dedicated to empowering women refugees and women working with NGOs by amplifying their voices and promoting innovative solutions to their challenges. It aims to celebrate and acknowledge the strength, determination, and innovation of women refugees and their advocates, fostering a culture of empowerment, empathy, and understanding. Aligned with COP28’s theme of “Climate Action for a Resilient Future” this award highlights the relationship between climate change, refugee empowerment, and sustainability. Doctors with Africa CUAMM is glad to partner with UNHCR, UniRef, DIHAD and The Amahoro Coalition to promote the award, which is part of the Sheikha Fatima Fund for Women Refugee Support and Empowerment Initiative (SFFWR).
In Chişinau, Moldova, Doctors with Africa CUAMM UK organized a 5-days training to strengthen capacities in neonatal emergencies and stabilization hence create a task force of skilled instructors. The training acitivity implemented by CUAMM UK is part of R.I.S.E. project, led by Doctors with Africa CUAMM and funded by The Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development (AICS).
A group of 7 participants, 5 from IMAC Hospital and 2 from the Ministry of Health (MoH), entirely composed by women, took part in the Training of Trainers (ToT) activity held in the capital of Moldova by Daniele Trevisanuto – Neonatologist and CUAMM doctor. The training developed in collaboration with the Moldavan Paediatric Association, aims to empower capabilities among a group of skilled instructors, thereby establishing a task force focused on neonatal emergencies and stabilization. This robust task force will then be equipped to educate others and disseminate the acquired knowledge for a sustainable impact. After completing the training, the 7 participants have received a certificate of 20 credits accredited by the Ministry of Health (MoH).
Once the course is completed, the task force will lead further training activities with the ultimate goal of fostering capabilities on emergency neonatal resuscitation and stabilization among local medical staff across the country. The second phase of the training will be held in the following months, will address 84 health workers from 7 second-level hospitals located in 7 different regions from north to south. This approach avoids the transfer of qualified personnel and ensures service coverage. Finally, a final workshop is planned with participants from the training courses, international experts, and key stakeholders for monitoring and evaluating the acquired skills and discussing future perspectives.
Maternal-infant mortality rate has significantly decreased in Moldova over the past 10 years, dropping from 26 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 14.2 per 1,000 live births in 2022. However, this rate still remains above the WHO index for European regions. In Moldova, there are 32 hospitals handling a total of 27,000 births annually. However, many of these facilities have a low number of deliveries per year, below 500, which exposes healthcare personnel to limited opportunity of fostering capabilities on neonatal care. Additionally, hospital data reports a high rate of post-birth transfers from peripheral facilities, which lack neonatal intensive care units, to third-level facilities, only present in the capital. Quality and timely newborns care after the delivery is hence highly needed in order to stabilize the newborn. For this reason, training activities on neonatal stabilization are key in peripheral facilities in order to avoid leaving these services uncovered.
Since the conflict broke out on 24th February, 2022, approximately over one million refugees crossed the border seeking refuge in Moldova, one of Europe’s most fragile countries. To prevent the collapse of the national healthcare system and address the healthcare needs of both the refugee and local populations, targeted interventions have been deemed necessary. CUAMM’s commitment in the country started in April 2022 in the capital Chişinau. Since then and in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the WHO, the intervention has been guided by the twofold objective of providing basic medical assistance within RACs and offering specific training for local medical personnel on neonatal emergency. To date, CUAMM is still committed to the such activities thanks to the support offered by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The commitment also extends to Ukraine, focusing on the delivery of medicines, medical equipment, and consumables to healthcare facilities; distribution of food items, essential goods, and equipment to combat the cold; as well as providing psychological support to the most vulnerable.
The research teams of Doctors with Africa Cuamm and University of Bari Aldo Moro gathered in Kampala, Uganda, for the presentation event of the study on malaria in pregnancy and drug resistance, in the presence of representatives from the Ugandan Ministry of Health, Paolo Giambelli – Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), and authorities from the districts of Oyam and Kole where the study was conducted. The research was carried out as part of the “ERASE – Rise against malaria project – Support for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malaria in the context of the Covid19 pandemic”, with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).
“The cooperation between Italy and Uganda is based on a long-standing commitment that continues to evolve, particularly in strengthening the healthcare system. I am pleased to be here today to acknowledge the success of this collaboration, which fully reflects the approach and intervention strategy adopted by the Ugandan Ministry of Health. An approach in which operational research and community engagement become key elements for achieving health objectives,” stated Paolo Giambelli, Director of AICS in Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi.
Representing the District Health Officer of Oyam District, Dr. Fr. Samuel Okori recognized CUAMM and the Italian Government for the support in the fight against malaria as he also underlined the importance for Uganda to share best practices and lessons learned from countries who have already defeated the epidemic, as Mauritius and Algeria.
“Today has been a testament to the power of collaboration. This has demonstrated a big image in collaboration and partnership in the fight against malaria. I know that these results that we have received from different players, will help us guiding new interventions in the malaria response, theerefore supporting the achievement of the 2030 goal. I want to express my appreciation to the project team members, partner organizations, and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to generate these impactful results”. Remarked Chemuko Fred, representing the CCM Constituency.
A cohort of 1,558 pregnant women underwent screening at each prenatal visit until delivery. The research showed that 29.7% women contracted malaria during pregnancy. The study also found that the incidence of low birth weight and preterm birth was 8% and 19% respectively. Women who tested positive were treated, and samples collected were analyzed at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità to investigate drug resistance markers used for therapy and prevention in pregnant women.
Operational research is indeed a key component of CUAMM’s work: conducting research means studying and deeply understanding the contexts in which interventions occur, adopting a critical method, identifying best practices based on scientific evidence, and also ensuring precise accountability. Doctors with Africa Cuamm has been committed for years to operational research recognized as an integral part of the Organization’s strategic plan, complementary to field activities and indeed functional to increasingly effective results. In this shared vision, the established collaboration with the University of Bari Aldo Moro fits in seamlessly.
The collected results have strengthened malaria prevention and control practices in the communities, improving the quality of health services at the community level and in healthcare facilities in the Oyam and Kole districts in the Lango region, Northern Uganda. The two districts at the center of the research have a malaria incidence rate higher than the national average, with 407 new cases per 1,000 inhabitants in Oyam, and 361 in Kole, compared to a national average of 289 new cases per 1,000 inhabitants.
“Data are important for conducting effective strategies,” explained Giovanni Putoto, Head of Programming and Operational Research for Cuamm. “A strategy exists: WHO has one, and the Ugandan Ministry of Health is exemplary in following it to respond to the disease. This strategy is based on pillars such as the use of integrated preventive treatments in pregnancy and childhood and seasonal chemoprevention capable of reducing morbidity and malaria incidence in the country. However, achieving the goals of reducing the disease requires constant political commitment that we must carry out on multiple levels, working in communities, referral hospitals, and decision-making tables with the relevant authorities”.
Malaria is among the deadliest infectious diseases globally. 95% of diagnosed cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa, which also holds another grim record: about 80% of malaria deaths are children under 5 years old. According to the World Health Organization, one-third of pregnant women living in sub-Sahaaran Africa contract the infection during gestation.
“Dealing with malaria in pregnancy is important because, besides being a condition that jeopardizes the lives of many women, it can also transform into placental malaria,” explains Francesco Vladimiro Segala, doctor in Infectious Diseases. “This condition hinders fetal development and results in premature births and underweight newborns.”
“The research group from the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases has a special focus on the needs of vulnerable populations,” declared Professor Annalisa Saracino from University of Bari. “Being here in Uganda today, with the entire team that worked on this project, testifies to the sincere involvement of the University, which firmly believes in the scientific and human value of research like this.”
The event “Supporting faith-based organizations on the frontline of healthcare service delivery” organized by Doctors with Africa CUAMM and Embassy of Italy to the Holy See was held today in Rome. The meeting was a valuable occasion for highlighting both the key role FBOs play in the delivery of healthcare services in low and middle income countries (LMIC) and the importance of building strong partnerships. Governments representatives, institutions, partners, private foundations and companies attended the event to prove the value of having a common commitment.
For over a decade, FBOs have been serving the most vulnerable populations in Africa to ensure the access to healthcare services for all. 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.
Doctors with Africa CUAMM believes that FBOs need to be supported and included in local health system strengthening interventions. For that reason, in 2019 CUAMM launched the program “Supporting FBOs on the frontline of healthcare service delivery in Africa” aiming at 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 . Up to 164 health facilities have been targeted in numerous on-field visits conducted by CUAMM personnel highly qualified both in health care and health service management. The facilities benefited from CUAMM’s support in terms of training in the field of management and administration, technical assistance through online activities and meeting on the ground; and advocacy to help FBOs share lessons learned and strengthen their representative capacity before local institutions and international community. The event was also a opportunity for presenting a deep analysis on the work FBOs are doing in 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
The meeting started with the opening remarks delivered by the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See, Doctors with Africa CUAMM Director General and Uganda Ministry of Health Representative.
Francesco Di Nitto, Italian Ambassador to the Holy See: «I am honoured for hosting this event here at Palazzo Borromeo. Africa has become a priority for Italy and in particular for this government. Italy is absolutely aware of how interconnected the destinies of Europe and Africa are and that is why it has been working to write a new page in the histyory of cooperation through the launch of Piano Mattei whose main idea is to develop partnership with African countries on equal footing also through FBOs, some of which have been asked to participate actively in the steering committee of Piano Mattei».
Father Dante Carraro, Director General Doctors with Africa CUAMM: «CUAMM, which I am speaking for, is itself a faith based organization. That is why we truly believe in the role FBOs play on the ground, in Africa. They are on the frontline of healthcare service delivery in low and middle income countries (LMIC), they keep up a widely underestimated work, barely recognized that we want to support and amplify».
Tom Aliti, Commissioner Health Services, Health Sector Partners & Multisectoral Coordination, Ministry of Health Uganda: «Ugandan health system is wonderful and strong. We aim at reaching the universal health coverage and in doing that, we are aware of the importance of working with partners such as CUAMM and FBOs which is something we started doing. Both the Government and the Ministry of Health have set a technical working group to jointly identify needs and priorities therefore design responses especially to address the urgent crisis in Sudan which has so far caused 1.5 million refugees, and also the crisis in Central African Republic without forgetting the urgency to plan a response strategy to the rising threat of climate change».
A first panel was dedicated to the role international cooperation agencies have in supporting and promoting healthcare in Africa. In conversation with Gary Cohen – CEO & Co-founder Maternal Newborn Health Innovation, Peter Natiello – USAID and Juliette Prodhan – FCDO highlighted the importance of driving locally targeted interventions for more sustainable and long-lasting results remarking lessons learned over their career in the humanitarian sector.
Peter Natiello, Senior Humanitarian and Development Advisor, USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance: «Faith Based Organization have really strong and healthy christian values and those intangible assets are critical to success in development project. And it’s precisely those things and those intangible assets that make faith-based organizations such an important partner to USAID. And just very quickly, I would like to mention the work that USAID is doing in Africa, Uganda, hand-in-hand with CUAMM: that has been critical to strengthen local health systems in those isolated places where precisely the refugees crisis have put additional stress on health systems».
Juliette Prodhan, Deputy Director, Development Policy, UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office – FCDO: «The ability of FBOs to link with communities, to influence communities, to influence behaviours is something we have witnessed during Covid epidemic they were on the frontline of vaccination campaign, they role in influencing is very important for us. And also their presence in the last mile, is really important. We need to work with people who understand communities’ dynamics and who serve in the most poor countries where the most fragile are and where we want to develop our projects even further. That is where FBOs are. The ideal would be for States to be accountable to their citizens and for State-citizenship’s relation to be really strong so that in the long run we know we have sustainable interventions».
Not only international cooperation agencies, private foundations also play a crucial role being them capable of delivering financial support to FBOs on the frontline of healthcare service delivery. The second panel “The commitment of private foundations on FBOs work in healthcare” was an enriching opportunity for us all to share objectives, identify common values and set the way further.
Sister Jane Wakahiu, Associate Vice President of Program Operations and Head of Catholic Sisters Initiative at Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: «Today I am delighted about the partnership with Doctors with Africa CUAMM in improving the capacity of our 100 catholic sisters involved in healthcare in Ethiopia and Central African Republic. Strengthening and supporting health facilities run by sisters is crucial for improving health service delivery and fostering striving community».
Filippo Uberti, Head of Health Unit ENI Foundation: «As an international company working in the energy sector we are called to respond to many urgent challenges. Firstly, the challenge of ensuring the health of our workers, their families and communities, secondly the challenge to invest in new model of energy such as renewable energies. The latter is probably the most challenging for us. Yet, we have to address it not only because the connection between environment and human health is something a growing number of governments are sheding a light on but also, because it is our mission to guarantee the well-being of our workers, families and communities across the 72 countries where we work».
Eva Kooijman, Philantropy Officer, Caritas Pro Vitae Gradu Charitable Trust: «FBOs are key actor in reaching their own community. What makes CUAMM a brilliant partner is the capacity to have reached itself 133 FBOs showing us a commitment that was beyond our expectations».
We could not fail to dedicate time to results collected from the assessment visits on the ground. Research is indeed an essential compenent of CUAMM’s work and one much needed to be accountable to partners and communities. That’s why the meeting was also the occasion to present the assessment from the visits conducted over the past 2 years in 64 health facilities across 11 countries in sub-Sahaaran Africa, managed by 48 FBOs.
Emanuela Parotto, Clinical Advisor: «The assessment report we are presenting today provides a critical insight in the challenges faced by FBOs in running health facilities in sub-Sahaaran Africa. The report is meant to underline the need for a long-lasting change in the provision of healthcare services. Through CUAMM visits on the ground, we had the opportunity to see first hand the key role played by FBOs in the provision of healthcare services to the most vulnerable populations despite the numerous challenges such as lack of human resources, weak capacity in disaster management and financial constraints. Collaboration and partnerships can indeed make a difference».
“The role FBOs play in the delivery of quality health services to the most vulnerable” was the latest panel of the meeting, followed by an insightful and thought-provoking Q&A session.
«What we can do together with CUAMM is to amplify the voice of Africa so that its needs become clear to everyone» said Fr. Dumisani Vilakati, Regional Coordinator for Africa, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. «I know that many colleagues from the Dicastery who are working in Africa, they have the feeling to be unnoticed.We do not talk enough about Africa. We do know that there are many crisis ongoing: in Ukraine and in the Holy Land. Yet, the tremendous time people are experiencing in Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia is equally worth our attention. Because wherever a war is, health needs spike and responses are needed» concluded Fr. Dumisani Vilakati.
Suor Adou Adjua Josephine, Secretary of l’Union des Religieux dans la Santé et le Social en Côte d’Ivoire – U.R.S.S.C.I.: «U.R.S.S.C.I was first funded in 2005 but it was 2020 when the government of Ivory Coast recognized the network. Today, nearly 100 health facilities are part of URSSCI counting both general hospital and first level health facilities located in remote villages. The mission that we all share as member, is to improve the quality of health services provided within the centres and to facilitate access to healthcare services especially to those most in need. In order to achieve our goal, we need first and foremost to be trained. Training is key and we need to improve our capacity in management, administration, law, healthcare service provision, communication and visibility, technical assistance. Just to mention a few. URSSCI is becoming more and more important to represent FBOs health facilities before the Ministry of Health and to have a seat at the table».
To conclude the event, Andrea Atzori, Head of International Relations, Doctors with Africa CUAMM gave the participants an overview of the major current challenges stressing the urgent need to build strong connection because «today Africa, or we’d better say the whole world is experiencing numerous crisis to which none of us alone can provide a response». Among the main ones underlined: the climate crisis, the economic crisis and the numerous huminatrian crisis ongoing. «“Partnership” is the key word: it is urgent to build connections as these that I see here, right in this room where we have gathered with partner, governments, FBOs, companies and private foundations. We have to debunk the myth that funds and money can drive change. It is a misconception. Financial support is without any doubt needed but it only become effective when it does change people’s lives, also in the hardest to reach areas» concluded Atzori.
The activities implemented in collaboration with Governments and local communities are supported by Hilton Foundation, Caritas Pro Vitae, Vitol Foundation and Eni Foundation.
Martha Amok Mating is 27 years old, from South Sudan. She got her midwifery diploma at the Health Institute in Rumbek in January. Martha started working in Rumbek hospital in 2018, back then she was assisting the anesthetist in the theatre room. Altough she had no professional qualification, not a diploma, Martha was driven by a deep passion and the strong desire to sooner or later enter that room with a proper qualification.
«What I do it is not just a job: to be a midwife means to hold life in your hands and to be dedicated to women’s health, any time. In our culture there are many taboos: assisted birth in hospital is only one of the numerous women face everyday. I believe in education to overcome those social customs and empower young women. As I midwife, I feel this is also my responsibility. I stand with women at delivery but to ensure their well-being every day, throughout their life, is my mission».
The right to health and the right to education are one to Martha who is a woman and a midwife in one of the most fragile country in the world, South Sudan where 92% of the deliveries are not assisted by qualified health personnel and therefore records one of the highest maternal mortality rate in the world: 1.150 per 100.000 live birth. Moreover, literacy rate for women is just 28% in the country.
«I do remember well the day I went to the Hopspital Director – says Martha with a nostalgic smile on her face, I needed a job so I grasped the opportunity. I have been observing and questioning for two years. I could do nothing by myself, I was not qualified but by working alongside with professionals health workers I learned how to do things successfully. Collaborating».
Martha never stopped working. She got married, she had a baby then she decided to take the midwifery studies. She did it in Rumbek, in that same hospital where she had been working over the past years. For three years Martha was fully dedicated to finish her studies: she was in class in the morning, in the theatre room in the afternoon and breastfeeding in between. She was able to cover part of the fees and achieve her goal thanks to a CUAMM scholarship within a more comprehensive intervention at Rumbek Health Science Institute funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) aiming at capacity building of nurses, midwives, and other health care professionals.
«Was that easy? It was not but you cannot just complain in life. What you have to do is to give yourself some time and think, critically. To study and to get that diploma was an opportunity not just for me but for my whole family. With that diploma, I knew I could have got a job and therefore provide financially for my family whose support was essential».
Martha does not fail to thank her parents and husband who took care of the baby during the studies allowing her to fully commit to both the studies and the clinical activity. A path she might not have undertook at all if not for a fortunate encounter, one of that marking a “before” and “after” that had the name of a Italian doctor: «he stayed in South Sudan between 2013 and 2020. Dottor Enzo Pisani was the one who encouraged me study, I was not willing to do it. I have no heard from him ever since, wherever he is now I want to say “thank you”, I want him to know that I made it. I am a midwife now».
«I heard the tremendous news from Gaza when in a field visit in the southern of Angola and I am shocked. We cannot accept that soldiers open fire on desperate people craving for bread at food aid trucks.
Before the umpteenth carnage of innocent people, I recall the Gospel: “Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children”.
How long will those mothers, fathers and children be yelling and crying? For how long will hatred prevail on love? As long as we know, more than 100 people have been killed and 750 injured. That is unbelievable, that is unacceptable!
Over the past 5 months more than 30,000 palestinians have been killed, many of them were women and children.
We can no longer accept that civilians are neglected humanitarian aid, we cannot accept that humanitarian workers have no safety assurances to conduct their work, we cannot accept that hospitals become military target.
We join our voice to those of the people calling for an immediate ceasefire as we pray for the innocent people to be heard and for their cry of pains to end».
D.Dante Carraro, Director General Doctors with Africa CUAMM
It has already been two years since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine war is an exhausting conflict we do not want to ignore. The whole world has changed over the past two years. The “third world war in pieces” that Pope Francis has denounced over and over has now gone global with an additional, tragic conflict in the Middle East.
Someone may wonder “What is the point in commemorating the anniversary of the Russian invasion when numerous more atrocitites are being committed in the world?” The point is that we do not want to get used to it, we do not want to go blind in front of the human violence and brutality. On the contrary, we want to be aware of the world we are building and that next generations will inherit. To date, 59 armed conflicts are ongoing worldwide. Many of these are set in Africa. They all bring death, suffering and destruction. This is what we still witness in Ukraine. Two years after the outbreak of the war, it is the civilians who bear the burnt while the conflict has no signs of ceasing.
According to the latest data, 18 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance (49% of the entire population) of which 5.12 million are refugees (about 35% of the population). 60% of the refugees are women, 27% are under 18 and 48% are people with disability.
Behind the figures, there are people and their lives that have driven CUAMM intervention in the country since the beginning of the conflict. Together with local communities, associations like VRB and civil society’s representatives, we have been working to help those in need. To date, CUAMM supports 30 health facilities in 6 Oblast by purchasing and shipping drugs, consumables and biomedical equipment; distributing food and essential goods, hygiene kit while also offering psychological support to refugees and training to health workers with a specific focus on disaster risk reduction and first aid. Without failing to mention a specific training on mental health and gender based violence. These are the main activities CUAMM is carrying out in Ukraine.
In figures: 5 project implemented; 3 warehouses stocked; 2.7 million of aid granted to distribute 2.340 medical kit; donate 4 ambulances and 1 mobile clinic; support 66 health facilities and local NGOs; reach 12 oblasts in 2 years. Over the intervention, we have assisted 17.042 refugees and 6.700 families, we have offered psychological support to more than 1.068 people and delivered 6.700 food kits.
CUAMM commitment has also reached the neighbouring Moldova. Since the beginning of the conflict, about 1 million people have sought refuge in the country which is one of the most fragile in Europe. In order to support the national health system and address the needs of both the local population and the refugees, CUAMM have started its intervention in April 2022 by offering medical care within the RACsand in some health centres on the Ukranian border; delivering basic goods to women and children and offering training on neonatal emergencies to local health workers in 8 facilities across the country. Trainings and meetings on mental health to refugees and hosting communities are now being added to the ongoing acitivities.
«It has already been two year since the start of the conflict, – said Antonio Zardini, project manager in Ukraine – CUAMM is ensuring its presence on the ground to support those who need it most.Thanks to the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, we will be able to renew the activities launched two years ago: psychological support to families displaced in the west; healthcare logistics assistance to the fron line facilities; training activities to volunteers and NGOs professionals working with both refugees, displaced and hosting communities. As CUAMM, all we need to nourish our dedication is to see the impact of our intervention on refugees, hosting communities and local health workers. This is what is driving us and it also something we want donors and professionals to be inspired by, because together we can keep supporting the Ukranian population».
CUAMM intervention in Ukraine is continuing thanks to the support from AICS and the collaboration with: Caritas Italiana, Caritas Moldova, Caritas Drohobych Sambir, VRB, VIS e AVSI.
Born in 1985, Jerry first went to school in the West Nile region, where he was born, and then moved about 400 km from home to attend a good college, the Teso College in Aloet, which gave him the right preparation for a scholarship to Mbarara University. Today he returns to his homeland in northern Uganda to visit his family and to follow Cuamm’s project activities.
5 years of medicine, an internship at the referral hospital in the Gulu district and a lot of clinical work between hospital and field. «For more than a year, I spent hours, entire days, in the operating room – Jerry narrates – I would go in at dawn and come out after the sun went down, days could go by without me seeing the light of noon!». Then, the experience at Nyapea Hospital first as a doctor and, in 2012, as Medical Director. A turning point in the professional life of Jerry, who was only 27 years old when he received the appointment from Bishop Lino Wanok, «one of the three most significant people in my professional life – says Jerry – I would have met others after him but I know that it all started there, in Nyapea».
«Suddenly I was in a different role, one of responsibility, sure, but also a very stimulating one. It was a constant questioning and figuring out how best to manage staff, how to ensure the quality of services and how to optimise resources. I had gone from worrying about the patient and his health to having two new priorities: finding resources for the hospital and ensuring its proper management”.
To fulfil his role to the best of his abilities, Jerry attended a planning and management course in an Ugandan institute. An experience that opened his eyes not only to the functioning of a healthcare facility, but also to the value and importance of healthcare as a public thing.
The Encounter with Cuamm
During his years as Health Director, Jerry came into contact with Peter Lochoro – Country Representative of Cuamm, which was just starting to support the Nyapea hospital. From there, they began collaborating on various researches, the very first one on tuberculosis (Tb) in Karamoja. Jarry later became technical manager, while at the same time receiving a scholarship to attend a Master’s in Epidemiology at Makerere University to study in depth aspects of medicine that he had not had the opportunity to study before and which – as Jerry says – «allowed me to do my job better». A job that Jerry and Peter, now his colleague and mentor, call “Adapting Programming” and which they explain as «reprogramming by adapting and that’s exactly what we do: we evaluate, we analyse, and we continually question the operation. It doesn’t mean fumbling around, on the contrary, it means recognising changes and being able to rethink and redesign what you are doing with a constant eye on the expected outcome and impact. We certainly can’t say it’s boring, in fact sometimes I wish it was, at least a little bit», concludes Jerry with irony.
Future aspirations
When congratulated on the commitment and dedication he has shown so far towards his work, Jerry replies by focusing on the future: «I am happy with what I have been able to do, but I do not want to stop here. My next goal? A PhD in tropical diseases, to acquire excellent skills and then to be able to combine my work with academic, teaching activities. Passing on knowledge and strengthening skills is crucial: only by relying on qualified and dedicated professionals can we respond to everyday needs, be ready for future challenges and have a decisive impact on our country’s health indicators».
So what are the future challenges? «To give an example, I can talk about the West Nile, my region. I left ten years ago and that place has changed: it did not used to be a malaria area, there was a dense forest and the climate was quite cold. In recent years, the forest area has been reduced, the temperatures have risen and the anopheles mosquitoes have arrived. Today, therefore, malaria prevention is also important here. From a health point of view, the indicators are growing positively, but the refugee crisis caused by the civil war in neighbouring Sudan has had a big impact on the health system».
“I was born and raised in Uganda, this is where I gained experience and this is where I wanted to spend my skills. This continues to be my wish”.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, amost one million refugees (UNHCR, 2023) have fled the country to Moldova. Starting from April 2022, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has intervened to both bring support to the displaced population in Moldova through Emergency Medical Teams and to foster the preparedness of health professionals through neonatal emergency trainings.
On February 8th our team on the ground have guided the Ambassador to the Holy See – Joe Donnelly in a on-site visit to see first-hand CUAMM’s response to the refugee crisis. The visit started at the Institul Mama şi Copilul IMSP (Mother and Child Institute) in Chișinău which cooperated with CUAMM in offering specialized training on neonatal emergency from June to August 2023.
«It is a priviledge to support CUAMM’s work in Italy and I am thankful for this opportunity to learn more about its work in Moldova– said Ambassador Joe Donnelly during the visit at the IMSP. Providing training for medical personnel dealing with neonatal emergencies is an investment in the future of the children».
The training, designed in collaboration with the MoH and implemented in collaboration with the IMSP, was structured in three phases with the ultimate goal of fostering capabilities on emergency neonatal resuscitation and stabilization among local medical staff. It was offered in 7 regional hospitals where multidisciplinary team ranging from 12 to 20 individuals had been engaged for a total of around 100 local doctors trained. In addition, training and mentorship activities have also been implemented in order to ensure adequate leadership during the emergency response.
The visit at the Department of neonatology gave the Ambassador the occasion to meet both health workers; Dr. Sergiu Gladun – Director of the facility and Dr. Larisa Crivceanscaia – Head of the Neonatal Department and President of the perinatal medicine association of the Republic of Moldova whose commitment and collaboration was key during the activities.
In addition to specialized training, CUAMM intervention has also ensured basic medical care to more than 1,800 Ukrainian refugees (both adults and children) accomodated in RAC Testemitanu 6. Testemitanu is one of the 44 RACs opened by the Moldovan government during the crisis, it currently hosts around 200 people among which both Ukranian refugees and third country nationals. Health services were offered at the centre from Monday to Friday since April 2022, thanks to the support of 32 Italian volunteer medical doctors plus local doctors and nurses with different competencies ranging from internal medicine to cardiology to intensive care and paediatrics, etc. Among the services provided: health screening and outpatient activities; drugs distribution and storage monitoring that made it possible not only to ensure continuity of care but also prevent the already fragile Moldovan health structures from being overwhelmed by the influx of refugees.
«As CUAMM we are committed to respond to humanitarian crisis both in Africa, Europe and Italy to reaffirm the right to health and protection for all – said Andrea Atzori – Head of International Relations at CUAMM. Nowadays, contribution and partnership with governments, international partners, local actors and private sector is key to address present and future crisis and to stand with the most vulnerable, anywhere at any time. For this reason, we are thankful to the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See and to Ambassador Joe Donnelly for renewing the support».
Ambassador Donnelly has recently paid a visit to the suburbs of Foggia, Apulia where CUAMM is working to strengthen healthcare services for migrant and refugee communities thanks to funds from the US programme “Julia Taft”. The visit to Moldova was not only a fruitful occasion for sharing experiences and results but it also reaffirmed the importance of multi-level collaboration in time of crisis.
Ibrahim, Fullah and Saidu have a dream. When you are young, passions and desires light you up leading the way ahead. Yet, dreams require perseverance, dedication and commitment. In Pujehun district, Sierra Leone, a dream come true can be life-changing.
Ibrahim, Fullah and Saidu are now working together at the PEN-Plus clinic for NCDs. The facility was opened last March with CUAMM support and it is dedicated to provide healthcare to people living with diabetes, hypertension and other non communicable diseases.
Silvia Professione also works at the clinic. She is a 30 years-old Italian resident in internal medicine who left her Univesity and hospital in September to live an experience of cooperation with CUAMM. Ibrahim, Fullah and Saidu are also the same age as Silvia, they are the Community Health Officer at the clinic.
«It is them who see the patients. By working shoulder to shoulder every singe day, we have built a deep and genuine relationship both professionally and personally» said Silvia.
Ibrahim is from the northern region of Makeni, he moved to Pujehun after graduating in Health Science in 2022. «I started as a volunteer at the general hospital. When the PEN-Plus clinic was inaugurated, I started coming here to see how it worked: I used to follow Dott. Giacomo Marro, the head of the clinic. I wanted to learn as much as I could. To be honest, back then my dream was to become a surgeon. Everything changed when I entered the clinic. Working on NCDs I figured out internal medicine was way more interesting for me, even more than surgery».
As a new vacancy for Community Health Officer at the clinic was published, Ibrahim applied. «I really enjoyed the first months of my work. I had the opportunity to work with numerous CUAMM doctors who held different training sessions as the one on the use of the electrocardiograph. Thanks to that training we are now able to diagnose a heart failure and intervene timely». Today Ibrahim dreams of becoming a doctor to then pursue a specialization in internal medicine. Working on NCDs which incidence is on the rise in Sierra Leone, is his goal in life.
As Bryma did, also Fullah arrived at Pujehun hospital as a volunteer at the paediatric ward. Although he dreams of becoming a cardiologist.
«A large number of patients at Pujheun hospital suffer from either heart diseases or hypertension and I would like to be able to help them, to help my own community».
Training local resources is key not only for Ibrahim and Fullah to accomplish their dream but also for the community to have access to quality health services. «Working with CUAMM I have the chance to pursue my dreams. We have learnt a lot since the beginning of the project and we are now qualified to intervene timely when needed». A year after the clinic was opened, health staff keep learning:
«We learn something new every day and we do hope we can be qualified doctor one day. This is our strongest desire» said Saidu who volunteered two years at the district hospital before becoming a member of CUAMM team.
The three of them, they all started their professional experience by volunteering at the hospital two years ago. They are CUAMM staff today: they see and treat over 170 patients suffering from either diabetes or hypertension who seek medical care at the clinic, every month.
«They are eager to learn. They do know very well that being qualified is key. To support them in the training activities, for them to become themselves trainers one day, is no doubt the best part of this experience that I am living» stated Silvia.
Doctors with Africa CUAMM is committed to promote education both in Italy and on field, within both health facilities and hospitals where Italian and local staff work side by side sharing ideas and experiences and learning by doing, together. This is the way we believe Ibrahim, Fullah and Saidu can make their dream come true and inspire other young Africans, every day.
