Categoria: News

Addressing health challenges with FBOs

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Today in Freetown, Sierra Leone we hosted a significant event under the theme “The Role of Catholic Health Institutions in Addressing Health Challenges: Free Care versus Cost Sharing in Different Service Delivery Models.” The gathering, supported by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation brought together representatives from Catholic health institutions, government stakeholders, and international partners to reflect on how faith-based organizations (FBOs) can continue to play a vital role in strengthening the national health system.

Catholic health institutions, many of which are rooted in remote and underserved communities, represent a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s healthcare landscape. With a long-standing commitment to the dignity of every human life, these institutions often deliver care where services lack yet are most needed.

«As faith-based organizations committed to promoting access to health, our work is driven by the values of equity and solidarity and reaching the most vulnerable and marginalized communities is our mission» said Sister Josephine Amara.

The event offered participants the opportunity to navigate and discuss a pressing dilemma: how to balance the principle of free care—especially for the most vulnerable women and children—with sustainability, quality, and resource constraints. Discussions explored innovative models of cost-sharing that ensure access without compromising on standards, while also emphasizing the need for stronger public-private collaboration.

In this context, CUAMM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Catholic health institutions as key partners in delivering people-centered care. To date, thanks to the support of international donors like Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, CUAMM is collaborating with 150 catholic institutions across 50 African countries reaching 173 health facilities with activities that spans from technical assistance to traning and advocacy.

By bridging gaps between communities and national health systems, FBOs do not only provide services—they build trust, promote preventive practices, and uphold the moral imperative of caring for all, especially the poorest.

DISCOVER WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH FBOs ACROSS AFRICA

Advanced training in Mozambique Diploma Ceremony

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The first edition of the advanced training program on pediatric and neonatal care dedicated to Mozambican professionals has just concluded and 14 professionals now hold the degree.

The initiative, supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) was led by University of Padua in collaboration with CUAMM and the two main Mozambican universities: Eduardo Mondlane University and the Catholic University of Beira.

Some of the nursing students graduated together with partners and institutions involved in the initiative

The goals of the program were to internationalize higher education in Mozambique, promote exchanges between academic institutions, and strengthen professional training in pediatric and neonatal care.

“It’s been a long way to get here. First, we had to work hard to get to know better one another and then we eventually started collaborating in an effective way. This ceremony is a result that fills us with pride” said Prof. Daniele Trevisanuto

The advanced training program was launched in November 2022 at Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo. Today, three years later, we gathered in the same location to celebrate the graduation of 14 students — 13 women and one man — from all provinces of the country. Among them: 6 doctors and 9 senior nurses. The event was attended by the Italian Ambassador to Mozambique, Gabriele Annis; Professor Jahit Sacarlal, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Eduardo Mondlane University; and a delegation from Padua including Prof. Liviana Da Dalt, former director of the Pediatric Emergency Department of the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at the University of Padua; Prof. Daniele Trevisanuto, neonatologist at the University of Padua and coordinator of the program; and Giorgia Gelfi, CUAMM Country Manager.

“This master’s program is an opportunity for the doctors and nurses who took part, but above all for the health system, as they will be able to contribute to improving the health of the communities they serve, with particular attention to the most vulnerable, such as children,” said Ambassador Gabriele Annis, who concluded: “The Italian government, through the Ministry of University and Research, is committed to funding a second edition in order to continue strengthening the training of Mozambican healthcare professionals.”

The academic institutions involved collaborated in designing the joint program, drawing on the expertise of faculty members, researchers, and scholars from various disciplines. The training path included a set of general mandatory courses, followed by specific mandatory modules. Courses offered included: Ethics in Clinical Practice and Scientific Research; Communication and Expression Techniques; Fundamentals of Epidemiology; Basic Biostatistics; Advanced Research Methodology; Childhood Sociology; as well as Common Neonatal and Childhood Diseases in Mozambique; Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Diseases; Pediatric Hemato-oncological Diseases; Pediatric Neurological Diseases; Neonatal Emergencies; Pediatric Nephro-urological Diseases; and Pediatric Accidents and Poisonings.

Dr. Daniele Trevisanuto with five of the six doctors graduated and their tutor

“During the first year, we mainly focused on research and analysis and learned how to observe neonatal and pediatric care from a different perspective — one that is essential for improving the monitoring and treatment of the youngest patients. Then we delved into a more clinical part focusing on the most common diseases in Mozambique and through the studies we analyzed the main challenges and barriers to care. The visit to Italy, where we experienced a different system, made it clear to us that the most important thing is to develop effective strategies by seeking practical and achievable solutions within the local context. Only in this way can we truly make a difference” said Sara Razão Simão.

Thanks to the involvement of the University of Padua, four integrated courses were also offered:

PALS Course – Pediatric Advanced Life Support (coordinated by Dr. Andrea Pettenazzo);

Neonatal Resuscitation Course (coordinated by Prof. Daniele Trevisanuto);

Respiratory Diseases Course (coordinated by Dr. Serena Calgaro);

Pediatric Nutrition Course (coordinated by Dr. Giovanna Verlato).

To promote internationalization between universities, the training program also gave six doctors the opportunity to visit Italy and attend clinical activities at the University Hospital in Padua under the guidance of Dr. Daniele Trevisanuto, pediatric neonatologist and professor. A opportunity to explore a different care model and get to know better the Italian healthcare system.

The project, launched in Maputo in November 2022, involved Doctors with Africa CUAMM — which has long been committed to training doctors in Mozambique — and was led by the University of Padua, the initiative’s coordinator and a key actor in multiple areas: from planning the academic curriculum and training sessions, to proposing distance learning and e-learning formats; from identifying teaching staff to facilitating intercultural exchanges between faculties; from enabling access to learning for 14 students to sending materials and equipment essential for higher education.

For the six doctors who completed the advanced training course, this experience was “a unique opportunity that was no available in Mozambique,” as Yumna said, adding:

“Studying and working under the guidance of highly experienced professors allowed us to open our minds and envision new horizons of care that will help us approach our work as doctors with greater capability.”

A truly unique achievement that by combining clinical practice with academic research provided students with a methodology, an approach, and a vision that many of them consider the greatest competence gained.

“Beyond improving my clinical skills, this course has truly allowed me to adopt a broader perspective. I would say that, more than anything, now I feel capable of approaching pediatric emergencies with a new method—one that suggests me to focus on the preventive aspects necessary to define effective strategies to reduce child mortality,” said Joyce Ventura Monteiro.

“The diploma I hold today is not only a personal achievement but also a renewed commitment to the health of our children in Mozambique,” said Afsha Banu Tahibo. “The training I received has expanded my ability to intervene in critical contexts, strengthened my sense of responsibility, and provided me with concrete tools to improve neonatal and pediatric care in our country, where every intervention can make the difference between life and death.”

 

Rural medicine off Wolisso

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The departure from St. Luke Hospital in Wolisso is scheduled for early morning. At one o’clock Ethiopian time.
The time of a people who give great importance to sunlight—for this reason, hours are counted from sunrise. So it’s 7 AM Western time when the Toyota Land Cruiser driven by Hagos leaves the hospital. In the vehicle: three CUAMM medical residents, one student, Sister Martha, and Sister Marie Rein with two nurses: Benjamin from St. Luke and Wase from Gambella.

The first stop is in Goro where we are about to visit Father Joseph’s community. He is an Indian missionary priest from Kerala, in Ethiopia for four years. He is working to improve the development of some villages in the region. He welcomes us warmly into the beautiful mission courtyard, enriched with plants from all over the world. He briefly explains the project to us. After tasting a few freshly picked grape berries from the garden’s pergola, we return to the off-road vehicle, now joined by Emanuel, another Indian priest and Joseph’s confrere, who will be our guides for the day.

We leave Goro heading west. On the bumpy road, the only motorized vehicles are our 4×4 and a motorcycle that take us to destination.

After about 20 km of jolts and shakes—and more than an hour of travel—we reach the final destination: Galiye Rogda, one of five villages inhabited by a population that, by language, traditions, and somatic traits, shares little with the other inhabitants of the region.

Perhaps it’s not exactly the “last mile”of CUAMM’s cooperation work, but it is still many miles away from the main road and basic services we might consider essential to ensuring the physical, mental, and social well-being of every human being lack. Services that will soon become even more inaccessible with the impending rainy season.

The village suddenly appears in the highland countryside—a cluster of circular huts made of wood, straw, and mud, surrounded by dark brown fields indicating the plowing season. The silence is absolute. In the foreground, everything seems frozen, captured in the short shadows of the equatorial sun. But life flows, and its rhythm is revealed in the background, with the slow and steady advance of oxen pulling wooden plows.

Waiting for us in front of the small tin school building used as a clinic is a group of curious, proud children, accompanied by a few women watching over them from a short distance. The men, all farmers, are in the fields. Soon, as word spreads about the doctors’ arrival, they will abandon their work and gather at our post.
This is not the first time doctors from the “city” have come to the village. In fact, in the past six months, Father Joseph and his congregation have already organized two similar events.
Still, our arrival is met with curiosity and suspicion. The children gaze at us from a safe distance and quickly look away when our eyes meet. Some hide. The youngest cry, protected by the older ones. A few are bold enough to touch us before darting back behind the women, who smile from the sidelines.

A few minutes after the initial meeting, people begin to gather. It’s time to begin the consultations.
Inside the little schoolhouse, three medical stations are set up: doctor and nurse side by side, with stethoscope, pen, pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, and a portable ultrasound device.

The line in front of each station grows.
The flow of people is well managed by the missionary priest and two nuns from a nearby health center who have silently joined our group. From Costanza’s desk, the pediatrician, a dense and orderly line of children extends—pressed one against another, each clutching a small slip of paper where their medication prescription will be written according to their symptoms.
Our few words of Oromiffa often help us understand the main issue. The nurses are always ready to step in and assist us in Amharic.

Headaches, nausea, coughs, stomachaches, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath. Some wounds to be treated. Many children are malnourished.

“My whole body has been hurting for two years.”
“I know—you work too much.”
Despite the early skepticism, there is room for some jokes.

An accurate diagnosis isn’t always possible. But everyone leaves with a prescription. Some with painkillers, some with vitamin or iron supplements, deworming medication, only a few with antibiotics or corticosteroid therapy.
Outside the school/clinic, the nuns dispense the prescribed medications to each patient.

Not everyone is completely satisfied—some perhaps wanted more time to be listened to, feel they weren’t understood. And perhaps they weren’t. Their health issue may need to be addressed in other ways. Rural medicine is this, too: complex problems, very few resources, interpretations—sometimes right, sometimes wrong. Sometimes only short-term solutions.

Most of the patients, however, seem content with this brief encounter.
We expected 300 people, and not many fewer came. When the crowd starts to thin and the last few latecomers approach the tin door, the sun is already past its zenith. After that, the clinic closes. The patients are gone. We all look each other in the eye. A laugh.
We’re not yet fully aware of what we’ve just experienced. But this isn’t the time to process emotions. We gather our tools and begin the return to Wolisso.

We’re aware not of having made a great medical contribution, but perhaps of having taken a small step to bridge the gap between the city and the countryside, to counter the trend of abandoning rural areas in a country where the main economic resources are used to build towers and beautify the tree-lined avenues of the capital.
Perhaps a small gesture from those with more privilege toward those with less—or none at all—can shift the focus and, for a moment, center individuals and communities for whom being forgotten is often the norm.

The return to Wolisso, which until a few weeks ago we thought of as a remote rural hub in the Ethiopian countryside, now feels like arriving in a chaotic metropolis—reminding us how much in life depends on one’s point of view.

 

Two girls, Two stories of motherhood

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Two fifteen-year-old girls, two parallel yet vastly different stories of motherhood. We heard about them from Elisabetta, midwife who has just returned from a year of civil service with Doctors with Africa CUAMM in Pujehun, Sierra Leone. A year full of sacrifices, joy, self-discovery, and encounters with others—too rich to sum up in a single conversation. But when asked, “Which stories left the deepest impression on you?”, she has no hesitation.

Two faces, two names: Amie and Kadija. Same age, same situation—a pregnancy faced without support. What sets them apart, however, seems to be their sense of hope for the future.

“Amie arrived at the hospital and gave birth to a premature baby boy,” recounts Elisabetta. “Despite many challenges, the healthcare staff managed to keep him alive. But it wasn’t enough to comfort her. During her entire stay, I never saw her smile. It was very hard for her  to open up. I tried to create a relationship with her, to better understand what she was thinking, but I never managed to. Her story will stay with me forever because at some point, she decided to leave the hospital—with her baby. We don’t really know why. Maybe there was pressure from her family, possibly to reduce hospital costs.”

Elisabetta remembers the day Amie made that decision—perhaps not really free from external influence. She recalls the room Amie was in, and a crowd of people surrounding her, all offering different opinions. In the middle of it all, Amie. Fifteen years old may be too young to bear the weight of your child’s fate.

“The doctors were strongly opposed to her discharge because the baby was so tiny, with very little chance of survival. But she left anyway. I’ll never really know why or what she was thinking. I asked myself how hard it must be, for a girl her age, to make such a decision. When I was her age, I could barely decide what movie to watch—she had to choose whether to walk away with a 1.5-kilo baby in her arms.”

Beside this story—whose ending remains unknown, though it’s hard to imagine a happy one—there is another. The story of Kadija. Also fifteen, from the moment she arrived at the hospital she radiated energy. Kadija was a force of nature—tireless, full of a will to live and love.

“In the evenings, I’d see her walking around the town. I’d say, ‘Kadija, you have to go back to the hospital! You’re still admitted!’ She spent two months in the Maternity Waiting Home before giving birth, but she never stopped moving, never rested.”

The Maternity Waiting Home is a place within or near the hospital where pregnant women can safely wait for childbirth. They are monitored and supported in a calm and safe environment. A simple yet effective way to prevent maternal and neonatal deaths. Kadija’s approach to her time there was anything but ordinary.

“Every day, she’d take children for a walk. At one point, she even started helping the woman who sold diapers and other baby goods in front of the hospital… She wanted to work and had a clear goal: to go back to school after the baby was born. She was from Freetown, the capital, but due to family issues, she ended up in Pujehun completely on her own. What struck me about her was that, despite her young age, she was incredibly determined to fight for herself and her baby.”

Thanks to the care of the health staff and the loving support of Elisabetta, the delivery went well. Kadija and her baby were able to go home quickly and in good health. She really wanted to return to school. I don’t know who will take care of her baby. Kadija’s path, too, will likely involve difficult choices. In Elisabetta’s eyes, there’s a shimmer of admiration for these two young women, who have experienced motherhood early in life. Different as they are, both carried the weight of their responsibilities with dignity.

 

Supply medical equipment to enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare services

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A collaboration that starts from the ground up — from the needs of peripheral health centers — and involves district authorities, health and administrative officials from the Hamer district and the city of Turmi (South Omo Zone), with the aim of strengthening the capacity to deliver healthcare services to the most vulnerable populations, with particular attention to women, children, and people with disabilities. This is the goal of the Impact project, implemented by Doctors with Africa CUAMM with the financial support of AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation).

The first results were collected and officially delivered to the Dimeka Health Center on Friday, May 16, during a formal ceremony attended by key officials and stakeholders, including: Matiwos Garsho from the South Ethiopia Region Health Bureau, Tamirat Aseffa and Orion Oysha from the South Omo Zonal Health Department, representatives from the Hamer District and the cities of Turmi and Dimeka, along with CUAMM staff.

As part of the Impact project, we delivered to the Dimeka Health Center a set of tools and equipment previously identified through an assessment conducted in collaboration with local health officials.

“Our mission is to increase healthcare access in Hamer District and the two city administrations. Providing infrastructure and medical resources to health institutions is one of our biggest responsibilities. So far, we have successfully renovated five health posts in the Dimeka cluster and provided them with essential internal furniture and medicines. Through close collaboration with health institutions, we have identified needs and procured critical resources. Additionally, we are working with the Regional Health Bureau to establish a Blood Bank Service for Turmi CEMONC Center / Primary Hospital to further enhance emergency care.” said Mr. Samuel Kebede, CUAMM Project Manager.

The procurement included a wide range of essential medical items including laboratory reagents, pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, cleaning agents, durable medical equipment, and diagnostic test kits. These items were carefully selected to support clinical, diagnostic, and patient care services comprehensively. Gathered in Dimeka Health Center, participants had the opportunity to visit the facility and see first-hand how the equipment provided will be used and the transformative impact this can have on health service delivery. Later on, they all took part in a dialogue to discuss challenges related to the provision of healthcare service and explore strategies to address the issue.

“This donation is of great significance, filling gaps where the government alone cannot easily provide. The donation of medical equipment and resources will have a major impact on improving healthcare accessibility. However, it is crucial that these supplies are properly managed, monitored, and used effectively. Leadership at all levels must ensure accountability so that these resources truly benefit the community. We must also focus on reducing maternal and child mortality, equipping health institutions with both infrastructure and skilled human resources. As a region, we are committed to doing our part.” said Ato Matiwos Garsho, Deputy Head, Southern Ethiopia Regional Health Bureau.

Then Mr. Wosenu Debela, Head of Health Office ad Hamer District stressed the collaboration behind this remarkable result and the importance to acta t multiple level of the health system.

“The donated items were carefully identified through collaborative assessments with the director of the health center, ensuring that all departments and critical gaps in medical equipment, supplies, and drugs are addressed. These resources will directly enhance service quality and promote health service equity, especially at peripheral health post levels. The items will be distributed across all health centers and health posts to make a tangible impact on patient care.”

 

“This donation is unprecedented in its scope. Many partners provide support, but rarely do we see such a large-scale medical equipment donation targeting all service areas in Hamer District and Turmi Town Administration. We deeply appreciate this valuable contribution. We are immensely grateful to the donor organization and project members for their commitment to identifying shortages and providing real solutions. As leaders, we must ensure that these resources are used properly, supporting experts in their work and maximizing their impact on community health.” Concluded Mr. Maikel Maliko, South Omo Zone Administrator.

In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced a gradual deterioration in internal security and stability, with several areas of the country affected by various forms of violence and conflict. This is further compounded by an economic and social crisis, as well as recurring climate-related challenges, including severe drought. Ethiopia is currently facing one of the worst droughts in decades, having gone through four consecutive failed rainy seasons. The Somali and parts of the Oromia regions are among the most severely affected, particularly agro-pastoral areas, where the drought has worsened long-standing difficulties in accessing basic services — especially for the most vulnerable groups, including women and girls, children, and people with disabilities.

Among the most pressing needs are access to health and nutrition services, psychosocial support, education, water and energy, and support for agricultural and income-generating activities.

Doctors with Africa CUAMM, with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), is currently operating in the districts of Chifra and Hamer, more specifically in the areas of Wa’ama and Dimeka, where access to social and health services is severely compromised. Through comprehensive support to peripheral health centers, CUAMM, in collaboration with local health authorities, is implementing a multi-sectoral intervention in the fields of health, nutrition, education, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and protection, aimed at reaching vulnerable populations.

This initiative is aligned with the strategic priorities outlined in the Health Sector Transformation Plan.

 

 

Challenges and solutions for maternal and child health

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We Were 250 in Milan: Discussing the Role of Operational Research in Africa

On Friday, May 16, 2025 our annual event on Operational Research in Africa was held at the Testori Auditorium in Palazzo Lombardia in Milan. The event, promoted by Doctors with Africa CUAMM in collaboration with the Lombardy Region, was hosted by Chiara Bidoli, editor-in-chief at Corriere della Sera newspaper.

The event served as an opportunity to showcase how research is not only a key tool for understanding reality, but also for tackling healthcare challenges in low-resource settings with accountability and innovation unlocking effective, concrete and sustainable answers.

Many diverse voices contributed to the discussion—from institutional representatives to the direct experience of those working directly in the field. It was a meeting that brought together young individuals eager to contribute through research and seasoned professionals with deep-rooted experience.

A Bridge Between Institutions and the Field

The event opened with institutional greetings from Guido Bertolaso, Welfare Councillor for the Lombardy Region, who reflected on his long-standing relationship with Doctors with Africa CUAMM and offered a heartfelt remembrance of Don Luigi Mazzucato, former director at CUAMM, ten years after his passing:

“I’ve been a CUAMM volunteer for many years. It’s where I got my start, working with people who are no longer with us—like our beloved Don Luigi, who was a father, a brother, and a guide for all of us. Along with Don Luigi, I also want to remember another great mentor, Anacleto Dal Lago. I have a long history of esteem and affection for both.”

Following him, Marco Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), emphasized the role of cooperation in promoting equity and strengthening systems:

“The goal of development cooperation—as defined by law—is to reduce inequality. And we know that health is one of the most visible dimensions of inequality. The poorer you are, the more likely you are to fall ill, and the less likely you are to get treatment. That’s why working with local institutions is essential. We don’t operate in a vacuum—there are already existing structures, centers, and universities on the ground. What they ask of us is to support their growth. Ground-level engagement is key to understanding; if we flip the perspective, the ‘last mile’ becomes the first.”

This collaboration with local institutions is vital not only for making the “with” in CUAMM’s name a reality, but also to carry out their mission effectively, without overlooking any detail. Giovanni Putoto, Head of Planning and Operational Research at CUAMM, reminded:

“CUAMM isn’t a research institution per se—that’s not our specific mandate. That’s why we’ve partnered widely to make nearly 100 publications since 2013 possible. Who are our partners in Africa? Communities, associations, local professionals, district directors… the whole of Africa! Along with 34 Italian universities.”

Daily collaborative work, built over time through relationships and partnerships, is the only real answer to the weakening that many health systems—especially in Africa— have been experiencing in recent years. The reasons are many, as highlighted by Peter Waiswa, Associate Professor at Makerere University in Uganda:

“Each year, 260,000 women die from pregnancy-related causes, 2.3 million newborns die, 1.9 million babies are stillborn, and over 5 million children under five years old die. These numbers are unacceptable. Limited intervention coverage and weak health systems—further impacted by COVID-19 and conflicts in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo or South Sudan—make inequalities even worse. Vertical, single-focus programs often aggravate the problem. What we need is a systemic, integrated, person- and community-centered approach.”

Voices from the Field: Youth, Tools, and Possible Solutions

Faced with such a daunting picture—which could seem discouraging to those unfamiliar with CUAMM’s tenacity and its partners—the second part of the evening offered a note of optimism. This was the time for “4 Minutes Talks,” brief presentations by young researchers sharing concrete experiences in operational research from the field.

Topics ranged from frugal engineering in newborn care, to pediatric malnutrition examined from the community’s perspective, and psychological support for families with infants in intensive care.

“52% of mothers show signs of depression. But no one notices,” said Ilaria Mariani, a researcher at WHO Collaborating Centre IRCCS Maternal and Child Health Institute “Burlo Garofolo.”

Understanding these realities helps drive more effective community-based work. Likewise, addressing growing resistance to antimalarial drugs in pregnant women and children is crucial. That’s the focus of Valentina Totaro, an infectious disease resident at the University of Bari “Aldo Moro”:

“Identifying drug resistance is a public health action that helps guide prevention and treatment programs benefiting the entire community.”

Matilde Aldeghi, a nurse from the University of Milano-Bicocca, investigated how nurses’ working conditions affect their performance in pediatric care:

“If the crew isn’t in a position to work well, no spaceship is going to take us anywhere.”

These are small but essential building blocks of lasting change. Just as the ability to innovate with limited resources can transform a hospital. Sofia Poletto, PhD in bioengineering at Politecnico di Milano, worked on Safer, a new type of neonatal resuscitator that is compact, portable, and effective in low-resource settings—requiring no external air supply or oxygen tanks:

“Technology can make a difference—if it’s designed by listening to those who will use it.”

Giacomo Buzzao, a researcher at the Venice School of Management at Ca’ Foscari University, explored how to make ambulance use more affordable in Beira, Mozambique. His research, part of the AICS-funded UR-Beira project, led to a command center coordinating emergency transfers between peripheral health centers and the main hospital in Beira:

“Thanks to this work, the cost of an emergency patient transfer is 27.59 euros.” A remarkable achievement.

Andrea Pietravalle, a pediatrician with CUAMM, concluded the talks:

“Malnutrition isn’t ‘just’ about hunger. It’s directly or indirectly responsible for 45% of all deaths under age five globally. It affects 45 million children—equivalent to every child in Italy, France, and Spain combined.”

Together, these experiences form a mosaic of bottom-up research, deeply rooted in human connection, context, and care.

Roundtable: Dialogues in Research

That same spirit animated the roundtable Dialogues in Research, moderated by Andrea Atzori, CUAMM’s Head of International Relations. Key speakers included Annajoyce Clavery Kamugisha, Head nurse at the maternity ward of Tosamaganga Hospital in Tanzania; Tarikua Endrias Butta, Head of neonatal intensive care at Saint Luke Hospital in Ethiopia (online); Serge Boni, Professor of obstetrics and gynecology and advisor to the Ivorian Minister of Health; and Mario Merialdi, founder of Maternal Newborn Health Innovation (MNHI).

Four diverse experiences from across Africa, all highlighting the urgent need to strengthen local health systems through practical approaches that combine scientific rigor, innovation, and community engagement.

Annajoyce Kamugisha emphasized the “dramatic shortage of trained personnel for assisted vaginal deliveries,” which remain underrecognized and poorly managed due to a lack of skills and tools:

“Yes, we’ve achieved great successes, but the challenges remain critical.”

Tarikua Butta presented neonatal intensive care registries now active in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Ethiopia, which are improving care quality and informing decisions:

“It’s an essential tool for standardizing data, preventing major causes of death, and guiding hospitals toward electronic health systems.”

Serge Boni stressed the importance of task shifting—delegating clinical tasks to trained non-physician staff:

“Maternal and neonatal mortality isn’t just a health issue; it’s a social issue. To make an impact, we need synergy among communities, politics, and the healthcare system.”

Mario Merialdi introduced OdonAssist, an innovative tool for assisted vaginal delivery:

“It’s simple to use, safe for the baby, and ideal for midwives who must make quick decisions in settings without specialized doctors. It’s a democratic system—it works in Milan just as well as in Wolisso.”

He warned:

“Maternal and child health technology is still too driven by the needs of high-income countries. We need to listen more to those working in resource-limited settings.”

Closing the Circle: Knowledge That Matters

Before the final remarks from CUAMM director Don Dante Carraro, the evening closed with greetings from Alberto Mantovani, Scientific Director of Humanitas and member of the Accademia dei Lincei:

“I’m very sorry I couldn’t be there in person,” said Mantovani via video link. “Especially after hearing these powerful talks. I’ve learned a lot in Africa—particularly a different vision of research, one more rooted in real needs. I’ve come to understand that training and research are inseparable. Without research, training is empty; without training, research becomes detached from reality.”

Don Dante concluded:

“Today, we’ve talked about important things: youth, research, innovation. But most importantly, we reaffirmed something simple: to truly understand problems, you have to study them. And once studied, you have to act to change them—not to publish papers, not to seek fame. We care about publishing because it provides solid data for the entire scientific community—even if it comes from an African country with extremely limited resources. Even if it’s about fragile contexts. Even if it speaks of mothers, children, and patients

 

 

The Value of on the job training

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Involving health professionals in on-the-job training can significantly impact the quality of services provided and improve health outcomes, from peripheral health centers to central hospitals.

A three-day training focused on neonatal emergencies was held in Bangui, Central African Republic, as part of a project implemented by CUAMM with the support of UNFPA.
Twenty-five health workers, led by Professor Ngbale, Deputy Head of the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department at CHUC (Community Hospital of Bangui), took part in a series of training sessions with the goal of providing quality care at the peripheral level, therefore improve the health conditions of newborns transferred to the emergency department at Bangui Pediatric Hospital (CHUPB).

 “The knowledge gained is not entirely new to me, but science evolves day after day. Ensuring that health professionals stay up to date with the latest guidelines is therefore essential if we want to offer quality care to women and newborns and reduce mortality” said Nzomon Dorcas, midwife. “When I graduated, for example, the 56 WHO recommendations on intrapartum care didn’t exist. Clinical care approaches have also changed over time—just think of oxytocin, which used to be administered systematically, whereas now we know its use should be limited.”

The training, organized under the project “Improved access to information and maternal, neonatal and reproductive health services”, took place at the Bangui II Health District and involved 4 doctors, 1 gynecologist, 15 midwives, and 5 certified nurses.

“The topics covered during the training weren’t new to me, but it allowed us to update ourselves on best practices and new protocols to follow, such as neonatal assessment or identifying danger signs in mothers,” said Welekoi Pierre, nurse. “Opportunities like this are also a great time for us health professionals to exchange experiences and learn from one another.”

 

Working with and within Communities

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Bridging the gap between healthcare providers and communities ain’t easy, particularly in underserved or remote areas. That’s why working with trusted members is paramount and can lead to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

Community health workers – CHWs act as trusted members of their communities, facilitating access to healthcare services, providing health education, and addressing social determinants of health. They receive a lower level of formal education and training than professional health workers such as doctors and nurses, yet they are equally important in ensuring that the most vulnerable and marginalized populations have access to basic health services.

Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1989, CHWs have a key role in health promotion, and their integration into multidisciplinary teams dedicated to health is currently being highly encouraged by WHO itself.

Community Health Workers can be men or women, young or old, from any class and social status, literate or not. What truly matters—and what makes them so important in carrying out many health-related activities—is their integration into and acceptance by the community they serve. Cultural ties, language understanding, and proximity to the people they work with allow CHWs to gain vital trust—an essential element for building that bridge between the community and the health system, which is often neglected to people living in rural and underserved areas.

The importance of CHWs’ work is even greater in light of the shortage of qualified health professionals in sub-Saharan Africa. CHWs are often the first point of contact with the most isolated communities in the most difficult-to-reach regions, where the vast majority of the population currently lives.

CHWs in CUAMM’s Interventions

CHWs have always played a crucial role in Cuamm’s interventions, and their work is complementary to that of professional health workers such as doctors, nurses, and midwives. CHWs provide a recognized and integrated service in a wide range of activities, including vaccination campaigns and screenings, as well as preventive interventions—particularly in maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and chronic illnesses.

CUAMM’s strategy has always included CHWs who play a key role in health activities such as pediatric vaccination campaigns and follow-ups for antiretroviral therapies, epidemic prevention and control, and nutritional screenings.

We use the term CHWs to refer to a broad range of figures including village health workers, traditional midwives, village chiefs, health agents, and community health promoters.

“The communities we serve lack many essential services. Our job is to check on people living in the hardest-to-reach and underserved areas. We carry out awareness-raising activities, promote good health practices, and it’s also our responsibility to inform them about upcoming mobile health clinics so they can get their children vaccinated.” Josè e Favores, Mozambique

In most cases, these workers are selected in collaboration with the community itself and with local health system representatives, to ensure the acceptance that is key for the intervention’s success. They then receive basic training in our areas of focus, which include maternal and child health, infectious and chronic diseases, and nutrition. With the competencies provided, they can effectively work within the communities, identify risk factors, and make early diagnoses. In some cases, they can intervene directly; in others, they refer people to the nearest health facility and make sure that they receive the care needed.

“Working as a CHW I constantly learn more about my own community. I learn how to talk to them, how to build and nurture trust and by doing so I receive much satisfaction because I know we are growing together” Graça Faustino, Angola. 

To effectively contribute to the success of the programs they are part of, CHWs require continuous training and adequate support both in terms of knowledge and equipment which is why CUAMM provides CHWs with tailored informative and educational materials and technological support: with mobile phones, CHWs can connect with village chiefs, district health authorities, and health professionals in health centers, thus creating a network that fosters collaboration at multiple levels.

Strengthening Services in Ivory Coast

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

A major new commitment to maternal and child health has been officially presented Friday, May 9, at the Abobo Town Hall, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Two main projects will in fact be implemented by the University of Padua and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in partnership with Doctors with Africa CUAMM, with the support of the Italian Cooperation, as part of the Mattei Plan.

The launch ceremony was attended by Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation, who was visiting Abidjan at the head of a delegation from the Italian development cooperation system together with Ivorian authorities, including the Minister of Health of Côte d’Ivoire, Pierre N’gou Dimba, and Madame Kandia Camara, Mayor of Abobo and President of the Senate, as well as project partners Dr. Annamaria Merola and Dr. Francesca Priolo representing the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Don Dante Carraro, Director of Doctors with Africa CUAMM.

The projects, developed in close collaboration with the Ivorian health authorities, focus on two main areas.

The first initiative focus on the rehabilitation and reconstruction works at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Regional Hospital Center in Abobo and the strengthening of Community-Based Urban Health Facilities (FSUCom) in Abobo Avocatier and Abobo Baoulé. With an estimated population of about 750,000, Abobo East is a rapidly growing urban area. The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Regional Hospital Center, which alone recorded 8,000 births in 2024, faces increasing demand in an already overcrowded setting. Hence, the need for a major infrastructure upgrade to expand its capacity, enhance the maternity and neonatal units, and introduce support services such as a blood bank and an oxygen center.

In parallel, the second initiative aims to reinforce technical and functional support for 30 faith-based health facilities affiliated with the Union of Religious for Health and Social Affairs in Côte d’Ivoire (URSSCI), with the goal of improving their integration into the national health system. Planned activities include strengthening managerial and clinical skills, promoting coordination and integration mechanisms with the national system, providing medical equipment, improving infrastructure, and developing referral systems.

Complementing these efforts, cross-cutting community health, training, and research activities will be carried out through the involvement of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and the University of Padua.

“This project is for you, for the community, but it is also for us, because it stems from a genuine partnership—built on people, organizations, and mutual commitment. This is the essence of this model of cooperation. The initiatives presented today are an extraordinary example of this approach in a country that, since 2024, has become a priority for the Mattei Plan, demonstrating the strategic importance of Côte d’Ivoire for the development of the entire region,” said Stefano Gatti, Director General for Development Cooperation.

Later, Father Dante Carraro, Director of Doctors with Africa CUAMM, took the floor. After thanking Minister Dimba, Ambassador Luzzi, delegation head Gatti, and the entire Abobo community, he addressed the audience:

“Today we are here not for ceremony, but to renew our commitment. We have one single, steadfast goal: we want no mother to die in childbirth, no newborn to die in their first month of life. We know we cannot save the world, but we are determined to do our part. This is our commitment, and we reaffirm it today.”

“This initiative addresses an urgent and priority need: ensuring that pregnant women and children have access to quality health services in one of the most populated and vulnerable districts of Abidjan. By investing in the health of Abobo, we invest in the living heart of Abidjan, and through Abidjan we foster the development of all of Côte d’Ivoire. Today, together, we are laying the foundation for a more just, fair, and united society,” said H.E. Arturo Luzzi, Italian Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire.

Then representatives from the two universities addressed the participants.

“Since its founding, the Catholic University has placed particular emphasis on training doctors in the values of solidarity, listening, and care, which are at the heart of healing, especially for the weakest and most suffering. It is a fascinating mission that engages the whole person. It is with this spirit that we are preparing to begin the project,” said Professor Annamaria Merola of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.

“We firmly believe that the quality of obstetric and neonatal care depends on genuine partnerships, rooted in a deep understanding of the local context, listening to needs, and the co-design of innovative, sustainable, and measurable interventions. The integration of data care, training, and clinical innovation is the distinctive contribution our Department is proud to offer to the project,” stated Professor Eugenio Baraldi, Director of the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at the University of Padua, in a message delivered in his absence.

To conclude the meeting, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Health Pierre N’gou Dimba remarked:

“The urban area of Abobo embodies all the healthcare challenges our system faces today. With this project, we aim to structurally and sustainably improve the health conditions of our population. But it’s not just about infrastructure—it’s about investing in health, dignity, and the future of our communities. This is a strategic project because it meets the real needs of those who seek care and services every day under difficult conditions. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for this spirit of collaboration. The professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication I’ve seen from all the partners involved fills me with pride.”

“We are convinced that the quality of obstetric and neonatal care depends on authentic partnerships based on deep knowledge of the local context, listening to needs, and co-designing innovative, sustainable, and measurable interventions. The integration of data management, training, and clinical innovation is the distinctive contribution that our Department is proud to offer to this project,” said Prof. Eugenio Baraldi, Director of the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at the University of Padua, in a message read during the ceremony.

Complementary activities in community health, training, and research will also be implemented through the involvement of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and the University of Padua.

The initiatives, aimed at strengthening healthcare services in the country and improving access to care for the population, are part of the Mattei Plan, launched by the President of the Council during the Italy-Africa Summit in January 2024.

 

A new commitment in Burkina Faso

Posted on by Redazione Cuamm

A new commitment in a country we have known and worked in in the past. A three-year project was launched yesterday in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, at the Bogodogo University Hospital Center focused on the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B and C. This initiative led by the University of Padua (UNIPD) and implemented in partnership with CUAMM and the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) fully aligns with the objectives of Universal Health Coverage promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Present at the launch event were the Italian ambassador Gabriele di Muzio, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Health Dr. Robert Kargougou, our director Don Dante Carraro, Dr. Giovanni Putoto – Head of Planning and Operational Research), Claudia Mocci – Project Manager, and Professor Francesco Paolo Russo from the Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Sciences at the University of Padua.

“This is a sort of a return for us,” said Giovanni Putoto, Head of Planning and Operational Research. “CUAMM worked in Burkina Faso for about ten years, between the 1980s and 1990s. Today, as the country faces a period of great internal instability, we return with a specific intervention. The hepatitis project, which we embraced in collaboration with the University of Padua and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, once again brings us close to the most vulnerable—especially mothers and children, who have always been at the center of our work.”

In Burkina Faso, viral hepatitis is one of the leading causes of illness and death, with hepatitis B (HBV) affecting an estimated 10% of the general population. The risk is significantly higher among vulnerable groups, who have always been the focus of our work. Pregnant women are particularly at risk: due to the high likelihood of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission, the consequences can also be serious for newborns.

In low-resource settings, poor diagnosis services and barriers in accessing treatment hinder the control of such diseases putting at risk the life of many. If not detected in time and without appropriate clinical care, the consequences can be fatal.

The initiative is a multidisciplinary one: the research component will be led by the University of Padua’s Department of Surgical, Oncological, and Gastroenterological Sciences (DiSCOG), directed by Professor Umberto Cillo, with the specialized contributions of hepatologists and gastroenterologists Professor Patrizia Burra and Professor Francesco Paolo Russo. The Italian National Institute of Health will play a key role in epidemiological surveillance, the provision of tools, data sharing, and the implementation of an electronic health records management system while Doctors with Africa CUAMM will oversee the managerial and technical aspects of the project.

The intervention will be centered at the Bogodogo University Hospital Center in Ouagadougou and aims to diagnose and treat around 3,000 pregnant women and children affected by viral hepatitis B and C. The project also includes the specialized training of local healthcare personnel, strengthening their skills to ensure a sustainable healthcare response.

“This project is part of the University of Padua’s long-standing tradition in health cooperation and training, reaffirming the university’s commitment to promoting global health improvement,” stated Professor Francesco Paolo Russo from UNIPD.

The planned activities follow an integrated approach and include:

  • Training of local healthcare staff, both in-person and remotely
  • Development of scientific research activities
  • Clinical management of complex cases
  • Provision of diagnostic equipment, tests, medicines, and IT systems for managing medical records
  • Contribution to revising protocols for the management of patients with viral hepatitis B and C
  • Introduction of software for the management of chronic patients

The project is being implemented in partnership with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) and in close collaboration with the local Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).