Categoria: News

Protecting life at birth the importance of nurses

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In Beira, practical training has begun for the 20 nurses participating in the annual professional neonatal nursing course, which started last February, in the province of Sofala in Mozambique. “Formador”, as the tutors are called by the students, “can we discuss a case together? Can you tell me if I’m doing it right?”. Opportunities for discussion and growth are not to be taken for granted for those who have often been accustomed to working without adequate training, alone, in a context where challenges are many.

This is the first course of its kind in Sofala, following an initial year in Maputo. The theoretical training has been completed and the participants have now begun their practical training, which will take place at the Central Hospital in Beira and the Central Hospital in Maputo, particularly in the delivery room and the neonatal unit. This is definitely something innovative because it is the first time that there are nurses in the delivery room dedicated exclusively to newborns.

“You know, Dotora, I did a lot of things before, but I didn’t really know why I was doing them or when it was best to do them. Now I’m prepared, I know what to do and when to do it, so I make informed choices,” said Gracinda, a nurse who has been working in the Berçário at Beira Central Hospital for seven years. Irene Avagnina, a CUAMM paediatrician at Beira Hospital, reports this with satisfaction, recounting the initial feedback received from course participants: “A strong, collaborative team has been created, where people help each other and exchange knowledge and experience. It was essential to make them understand how important they are in the first moments of a newborn’s life, that their service can have a crucial impact! When they successfully resuscitated children or managed to resolve a complex situation, you could clearly see their amazement and gratification at the opportunity to really make a difference.”

A shared commitment to investing in the growth of local human resources, professional training that is part of the project “Strengthening the system of healthcare personnel training institutes and supporting the development of telemedicine”, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented with Aispo, the Community of Sant’Egidio and the University of Sassari.

 

“It was important that the Ministry decided to involve staff already in service. This is definitely the key to having a real impact on the healthcare system, giving operators the opportunity to grow. Despite the challenges of implementation, there has been a clear willingness on the part of the Public Institute of Science and Health to take on this commitment and to think of it from the outset as an ongoing and long-term course because it is seen as a concrete opportunity for improvement,” adds Irene. The Institute is still feeling the effects of Cyclone Idai and the economic crisis, but despite this, it remains a national reference point for professional training in nursing.

“On Mozambican Women’s Day, we got together with our colleagues. We stood in a circle, each of us wearing a capulana – a traditional Mozambican fabric worn by women, which has a strong symbolic value. We had to share a wish, the hope that each of us had for this course,‘ concludes Irene. ’At the end, the group sang a song that says: “Those who were afraid to be born, now appreciate life”.

Refugees in Africa: those who stay, those who heal

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While borders and barriers become stronger and stronger across Europe, in 2024, 73% of the world’s refugees found shelter in low- and middle-income countries.

Data are reported in the latest UNHCR report, published ahead of World Refugee Day to shed a light on the lives of people forced to flee.

Uganda is currently among the top hosting countries in Africa. With 1.8 million refugees, it ranks fifth globally and first in Africa. In Uganda’s West Nile region, most refugees come from South Sudan, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“Conflicts are increasing, and people keep arriving in desperate, emergency conditions,” says Joseph Katetemera, CUAMM Project Manager in West Nile. “Uganda keeps its doors open, even though funding is rapidly declining. To date, overcrowding in camps is a serious issue, and USAID cuts have led to severe underfunding. People must rely solely on their own resilience to survive.”

CUAMM has been working to support refugees in the region since 2022, with the most recent project running through March 2025. The focus has been on providing primary health services, emergency obstetric care, and psychosocial support.

Over the last year alone: 2,777 women gave birth safely, over 14,500 people received care during 100 outreach sessions in villages, 1,042 patients accessed life-saving medications. Special attention was given to people with disabilities, with the construction of accessible latrines, provision of hygiene kits, and inclusive training sessions.

“One of the key achievements, I believe, is that we were able to perform more than 2,000 surgeries on refugees, including over 600 people blinded by cataracts,” says Katetemera. “The story that stays with me most is that of Atizuyo Gladys, a woman who had been blind for eighteen years. Because of her condition, she had lost everything—even the small shop she once ran to support herself. She was ostracized by the community, who believed she had been cursed. Only her family and husband stayed with her. I’ll never forget the day she regained her sight after the surgery: it was the day she saw her children’s faces for the very first time. She even reopened her small business, thanks to a fundraising effort organized in her support.”

Stories like that of Atizuyo give hope in a country where the situation remains critical and the strain is starting to show. And the pressure isn’t limited to Uganda— it also threatens countries like Ethiopia. In Gambella region, near the border with South Sudan, the crisis is deepening. The region currently hosts five refugee camps with over 375,000 South Sudanese, with an additional 50,000 arrivals due to the escalating conflict.

“The situation is truly dire: we’re trying to expand the camps because there’s simply no more space,” explains Daniel Frehun, CUAMM Area Manager in Gambella.

The camps are located in remote areas, often far from water sources and services. Yet CUAMM remains committed. Active in Gambella since 2018, CUAMM currently provides full healthcare services at two health posts in the Ngunyyiel camp and collaborates with community structures in three additional camps.

Activities include: health promotion, preventive care (vaccinations, nutritional screening), treatment, with special attention to women and children. A key initiative is the “tea talks”—informal gatherings led by community health workers, many of whom are refugees themselves, to raise awareness among women of reproductive age.

“These are moments when concerns surface, challenges are shared, and trust is built,” says Daniel.

In a context plagued by recurrent health emergencies—from cholera to the recent Mpox outbreak—the presence of trained personnel and consistent commitment becomes vital.

“Many partners are leaving, but we are staying. Even with fewer resources, we continue working side by side with the community.”

He closes with a message that goes beyond statistics:

“What has struck me most in these four years alongside refugees is their resilience and sense of humanity. I’ve witnessed profound suffering, caused by poverty and repeated health emergencies. Yet they’ve never stopped showing strength, gratitude, and hope. One mother in the Ngunyyiel camp even named her son after ‘CUAMM’, in gratitude for the care she received during her pregnancy.”

 

“Refugees are not just victims. They are mothers, fathers, and children who once lived in peace and still dream. Today, they continue to support their communities with dignity. We see them, we listen to them, and we walk alongside them.”

CUAMM meets CAR President in Bangui

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A visit to the Central African Republic to closely follow the constant, daily, and dedicated work of CUAMM teams on the ground. This was the goal of the visit paid by Director General Father Dante Carraro to Bangui, where efforts continue in support of the Pediatric Complex—the only pediatric hospital in the country—and the project to build a midwifery school in Bossangoa.

The mission also became an opportunity for a special meeting:  Father Dante Carraro together with Ambassador Filippo Scamacca del Murgo and CUAMM Country Representative – Marina Panarese were received for the first time yesterday at La Renaissance, the presidential palace by the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra. An institutional visit aimed at strengthening cooperation efforts in the country, and at highlighting and appreciating CUAMM’s commitment to maternal and child health and education.

Among the topics discussed were: the strong involvement of Italian Cooperation in the country’s development; the collaboration between CUAMM and the Ministry of Health; and the results that this synergy is producing.

“Italian Cooperation’s support in the health sector is essential, and the work of organizations like CUAMM proves it,” said Ambassador Filippo Scamacca del Murgo. “The results are already visible in terms of improved health infrastructure, reduced child mortality, and the provision of free, quality care for children and their families.”

The President also mentioned the new, major challenge launched by the Minister of Health, Pierre Somsé, and taken on by CUAMM last year: the construction of a midwifery school in Bossangoa—the first in the country to offer training opportunities outside the capital.

“The school is the result of a long-standing collaboration with the Ministry of Health and reflects our way of working with Africa. We started by supporting the Pediatric Complex in Bangui, then moved to the smaller hospital in Bossangoa, and now—thanks to the results achieved—we are ready for this new challenge, strongly supported by Minister Pierre Somsé, who also participated in our Annual Meeting last year in Turin,” said Father Dante Carraro.

Through the midwifery school construction project, CUAMM’s commitment in the country takes a step forward—making education a tool to accelerate development, improve health indicators, and offer growth opportunities to the many young people who can and want to be part of this change.

“We are grateful to Italy and CUAMM for their support to our country. Investing in education is a priority for the development of the Central African Republic, and we are confident this school will be a crucial starting point,” said President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who expressed his full agreement in renewing the cooperation efforts between the countries.

 

Sickle Cell Disease a forgotten NCD

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Every year on June 19, the global community observes World Sickle Cell Disease Day—a vital opportunity to raise awareness of one of the most widespread yet often overlooked genetic blood disorders. Established by the United Nations in 2008, this day calls attention to the daily challenges faced by people living with sickle cell disease (SCD) and other haemoglobin disorders, emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and quality care, and advocates for the implementation of effective prevention strategies.

Sickle Cell Diseases (SCD) is considered a non-communicable disease (NCD) along with the so called “Big Five”: cardiovascular diseases (including high blood pressure), cancer, lung diseases, diabetes, and mental health conditions. Such diseases are chronic conditions that are not spread from person to person and represent a growing public health concern in the African region.

In Sierra Leone NCDs contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Limited diagnostic and treatment facilities make early detection and effective management difficult. Many cases remain undiagnosed or mismanaged due to lack of awareness and healthcare resources. For that reason, CUAMM is actively engaged in Pujehun district through the PEN-Plus project. PEN-Plus is an integrated care delivery strategy focused on increasing the accessibility and quality of chronic care services for severe NCDs. Since 2023, CUAMM is supporting the General Hospital—the district’s main hospital—in providing free consultations and care for chronic patients in one of the 2 NCDs Clinics of Sierra Leone.

In this framework, CUAMM is committed to providing multidimensional support, which include, in addition to patient treatment, continuous training of hospital staff and supporting the government in integrating NCDs procedures into national policies. As well as that, the organization is active at the community level throughout the District to raise awareness and spread knowledge on NCDs.

Two years after the start of activities, the clinic registers over 1,000 enrolled patients who receive regular, specialized care and periodic follow-ups, ensuring them a better quality of life. More than half of these patients are being treated for hypertension and Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle Cell Disease, a genetic blood disorder that causes chronic pain, organ damage, and frequent hospitalizations, is particularly widespread due to the high carrier rate in the population.

Blood disorders, also known as haemoglobin disorders are inherited blood diseases that affect how oxygen is carried throughout the body. These disorders fall mainly into two categories: sickle-cell disease and thalassaemia. Globally, approximately 5% of the population carries trait genes for haemoglobin disorders. Each year, over 300,000 babies are born with severe forms of these diseases. Although inherited from two generally healthy parents, these conditions can have serious health consequences.

Managing and Preventing the Burden

While the burden of haemoglobin disorders is significant, it can be effectively reduced through integrated management and prevention programmes. Disease management includes early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and comprehensive care. However, the most cost-effective approach combines treatment with prevention strategies, such as: carrier screening, genetic counselling and prenatal screening.

CUAMM’s Commitment in Pujehun

To mark this year’s World Sickle Cell Disease Day, CUAMM led a series of public awareness initiatives in Sierra Leone’s Pujehun district, where access to reliable health information is often limited. These included:

  • Two radio talk shows, broadcast via community radio—an essential communication channel in rural areas—focusing on early detection, care options, and social support.
  • An educational session at Pujehun Secondary School, empowering students with basic knowledge about symptoms, prevention, and the importance of seeking care.
  • A street theatre performance in the central market, using local storytelling and drama to spread messages of awareness, empathy, and inclusion.

These activities highlight CUAMM’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities affected by sickle cell disease and promoting informed choices for healthier futures.

Blood bank as a lifeline in Karamoja

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In a region historically plagued by severe blood shortages and high maternal and child mortality, a remarkable transformation is underway. Since the establishment of the Moroto Blood Bank in September 2022 the Karamoja subregion is witnessing tangible improvements in healthcare delivery—especially in emergency care and maternal health. The service was established by Doctors with Africa CUAMM with support from the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda (IrishAid) and serves as collection, storage, and sistribution centre in the region.

This facility, the first of its kind in Karamoja, has revolutionized blood transfusion services by dramatically reducing the distance and time required to obtain life-saving blood.

“Before the opening of the blood bank in Moroto, the hospitals in Karamoja relied on blood from Mbale (300 km away) and Nakasero (500 km), with delivery delays of up to five days. These delays often resulted in preventable deaths, particularly among mothers and children” said Dr. Lilly Achayo Boxtell – CUAMM Project Manager.

Thanks to the Moroto centre, which now serves nine transfusion sites across nine districts, blood is more accessible for Karamoja’s 1.4 million residents. Blood collection numbers have risen significantly—from 8,063 units in the first project phase (Nov 2021–Oct 2023) to 11,439 units in the ongoing second phase (Nov 2024–May 2025), with efforts still ongoing.

Results are being collected in terms of improved health outcomes. Maternal deaths in the region have dropped from 28 at baseline to 12 by October 2023. Nationally, Uganda’s Maternal Mortality Ratio has declined from 336 to 189 per 100,000 live births between 2016 and 2022, according to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. The under-five mortality rate in Karamoja has also decreased from 102 to 56 per 1,000 live births, in part due to the availability of safe blood for children suffering from severe malaria and anemia.

To ensure blood continues reaching those in need, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, together with the Ministry of Health Uganda, Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS), Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, district local governments, and local communities, have implemented a comprehensive strategy:

  • Community engagement through radio shows, community dialogues, educational dramas, donor testimonials, and information campaigns.
  • Mobile blood drives in public places like markets, schools, barracks, offices, and on occasion of cultural events like the Karamoja Cultural Gala.
  • Capacity building for healthcare workers through training, mentorship, and technical support.
  • Infrastructure development, including equipment procurement and installation at Moroto and the supported transfusion sites.

However, challenges remain: Karamoja’s cultural conservatism and sparse population contribute to low blood donation rates, especially among those unfamiliar with the practice. Addressing this requires ongoing community sensitization and storytelling, highlighting real-life success stories and the power of donation to save lives.

“Blood donation in Karamoja is more than a medical act—it’s an act of solidarity. Every unit collected is a life preserved,” said Dr. Lilly Achayo Boxtell.

As this vital work continues, CUAMM remains committed to ensuring no mother or child dies for lack of blood, standing with the people of Karamoja to strengthen the region’s health system, one drop at a time.

Accelerate 2050 sharing experiences to drive impact

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Accelerate 2050 is a global conference that brings together institutional leaders, international organizations, UN agencies, companies, foundations, think tanks, universities, and civil society representatives from all over the world to create and nurture a dialogue on major global challenges, particularly in view of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year the event was held in Brindisi, Apulia and we had the opportunity to participate in it. As an international NGO committed to protecting and promoting access to healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa, we have been invited to contribute to the panel dedicated to international cooperation under the theme “Early-stage climate & health ventures: war stories from founders & investors”. Together with fellow speakers Brian Fairhurst – Anthropogenic and Paul Sebastien – African Carbon Solutions, Andrea Atzori – Head of International Relations shared both our experience and expertise by underlining the intersection that exists between climate and health.

The WHO estimates that climate change will cause 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, mostly from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.

As Doctors with Africa CUAMM we see firsthand the trend especially in the most vulnerable settings where children and pregnant women bear the highest burnt. To better respond to their health needs, we work in collaboration with health authorities, from first to third level ensuring the continuity of care. In addition, we also intervene at community level by promoting a bunch of activities including: training and sensitization on nutrition, WASH and IPC, community engagement, screening, data collection and monitoring.

«In the current global scenario, climate change is not only an environmental issue — it’s a social and economic disruptor that deepens poverty, forces migration, weakens food and water security, and undermines mental and physical health mainly affecting women and children – claimed Andrea Atzori. – These challenges are complex, interconnected, and cross-sectoral that’s why as CUAMM we are committed to adopting a integrated approach to address the issue».

The Clean Cooking program, discussed during the panel is indeed a model of such approach as it stands right at the intersection of health, climate, gender equity, and sustainable development. Designed to be scalable, sustainable, and adaptable to local contexts, the program is an effective tools to monitor communities’ habits and health status  therefore implement adequate strategies.

Ukraine No truce

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Three years ago, we launched an intervention in the country with the twofold objective of providing support to the civilian population affected by the conflict and equipping healthcare facilities in need with consumables, equipment and emergency kits needed to ensure care—particularly in areas closest to the front line.

It is precisely the medical logistics activity to have distinguished CUAMM’s intervention in the country from the beginning. Based on the Health Request Planning and Response Tool developed by the WHO, this activity, in line with Strategic Objective 113 of the 2023 Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and Health Cluster Objective 114, also contributed to the cluster’s core activity: “Procure, prepare, and distribute essential medicines, medical equipment, and consumables to healthcare facilities.”

“The greatest needs have always been surgical instruments and emergency kits, especially for facilities located right on or near the front line. Sutures, needles, forceps, surgical scissors—as well as trauma management and care tools like neck collars, spinal boards, and evacuation stretchers—are the most requested supplies,” said Francesco Belotti, CUAMM Project Manager in Ukraine.

Among the most at-risk facilities are those in the Donetsk region, which a few months ago, as the front line advanced, were ordered to evacuate.

“These were two healthcare facilities that suddenly found themselves just a few kilometers from the fighting. The entire area was evacuated, and healthcare staff were relocated elsewhere. As a result, the nearest remaining healthcare posts became reference points without the real capacity to manage care. That’s exactly where we redirected our distribution” claimed Francesco Belotti.

The Donetsk region, together with the Kherson and Sumy regions, is among the hardest hit by the most recent attacks. Last week according to local authorities, 45 civilians were reportedly killed.
Meanwhile, 500 people were evacuated from areas near the front line in the Donetsk and Sumy regions, where homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure were also damaged or partially destroyed.

Today, as the conflict shows no signs of ending, on the contrary it becomes more intense in the Dnipropetrovsk region, the need to ensure access to care and assistance remains, as noted by Andrea Atzori, CUAMM Head of International Relations.

“Medical logistics has been at the heart of CUAMM’s work in Ukraine for three years now. Today, giving continuity to the intervention is important in order to ensure the functioning of health facilities in distress, provide health services to the population and facilitate the reconstruction phase,” said Andrea Atzori – Head of International Relations of CUAMM.

Since first medical logistics operations, started in July 2024 and recently completed, we have involved eleven healthcare facilities located in Dnipropetrovska and Donetska oblasts, reaching a target population of 30,400 people.
The medical logistics activity is part of the SAFE-UKR project: Support and Assistance for Families in Emergency in Ukraine, which is part of a €46.5 million initiative funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) that reaches over 900,000 people affected by the Ukrainian crisis.

 

Diagnosis, treatments, resources tools that save lives

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Bethel is a two-year-old boy whose story is told by Alessio Tabuso – an Italian resident in Bangui, Central African Republic. We hear from him on a Friday during a short break he manages to carve out. It’s a special day at the Paediatric Hospital – CHUPB as a neonatologist from Dakar has come to give training sessions. It’s an opportunity no one wants to miss — neither doctors nor nurses — and so the wards are temporarily empty.

“We have so many patients, both in pediatrics and in intensive care unit, and the health workers are only a few. This is a great opportunity for them, but someone still needs to stay on duty. So, we’re rushing around — we’re used to it!” Alessio tells us.

As he begins to recount this story of care, Alessio starts from the end — partly because the ending is pretty unusual and far from guaranteed, and partly because emotions are still running high.

“I was in the corridor during rounds this morning then I heard a woman screaming my name. When I turned around, I saw Bethel running toward me while his mother smiled from a distance. The first thing I thought? The boy can see!”

It’s a story that begins with a hug yet, it reveals the numerous challenges in providing care in Central African Republic, where every day healthcare providers struggle with diagnostic difficulties, a lack of medical equipment, shortages of medicines, and insufficient and underqualified human resources. These are elements that — in a country ranked among the lowest on the Human Development Index — make access to healthcare a ever ending struggle.

When Bethel arrived at the hospital, he had fever and was vomiting. He wouldn’t stop crying. After a few questions, the doctors realized he already went to a peripheral health center, in Picola Barbi, a few dozen kilometers from the capital. The local healthcare staff had tried treating him for several days with broad-spectrum antibiotics and antimalarial drugs, without any success.

“Vague symptoms common to many illnesses make diagnosis harder. Health personnel in health posts do what they can with what they have but time goes on and the risk of the patient’s condition worsening increases,” Alessio explained.

And that’s exactly what happened with little Bethel, who was transferred to CHUPB only after a week of ineffective treatment.

“When he arrived here, his body had already lost muscle tone and he was barely conscious. Holding him in my arms felt like holding puppet.”

The loss of muscle tone, combined with a state of unconsciousness and persistent fever, often points to tuberculous meningitis — a severe form of TB that unfortunately, due to diagnostic challenges and a lack of timely treatment, mainly affects children. If not promtly treated the diseases can have severe consequences to the health, including brain damage, hearing loss, vision loss, seizures, stroke, and eventually death. Upon admission to the hospital, the doctors were informed of two seizure episodes and immediately started antibiotic therapy while ordering a series of tests to rule out the worst-case scenario.

“Tuberculous meningitis is an infection of the meninges that primarily affects children and can, unfortunately, have devastating consequences. Identifying the bacterium in time and starting the correct treatment is crucial to prevent paralysis, coma, and ultimately death,” said Alessio.

To confirm or rule out their suspicion, the doctors performed the GeneXpert test. Needless to say, this type of test is only available in the capital. The results confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the gastric fluid, and the little patient’s condition worsened dramatically in the following hours.

Bethel experienced a prolonged seizure, the doctors observed signs of increased intracranial pressure, and the situation became even more critical when blood tests revealed dangerously low sodium levels (severe hyponatremia). Intervention was needed, but had it not been gradual it would have caused itself neurological damages. The team implemented a therapy that was carefully administered over several days.

These were long, tense days and Bethel’s life was hung by a thread.

“The little boy recovered after about ten days of intensive treatment. When we discharged him, he was in good general condition but was supposed to return in the following days for follow-up visits” Alessio explained. “Unfortunately, families here often lack the means to travel, and I hadn’t seen Bethel again — until this morning, when, to my surprise, he came running toward me. He was doing well, and he could see!”

Bethel’s life was saved by a care system that allowed him to receive the attention and treatment he needed at the country’s one and only tertiary-level pediatric hospital. The follow-up visits he attended showed no signs of damages to the eyes, a consequence of the disease that can also result in permanent vision loss. CUAMM teams work tirelessly at the CHUPB to support both the paediatric ward and the intensive care unit to ensure children like Bethel adeguate and timely care. Our commitment at the hospital is financially supported by the European Union.

 

FRENCH VERSION

 

The contents are the sole responsibility of Doctors with Africa Cuamm and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

S.K.I.L.L.E.D: Training youth for a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system

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The project “S.K.I.L.L.E.D – Strategic knowledge and inclusive lifelong learning in the health sector for youth employability and development”, implemented by CUAMM and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, has officially kicked off in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Contributing to sustainable, inclusive and decent employment for skilled young people, in line with national policies and priorities: this is the ambitious goal of the initiative, which will be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and important educational institutions, the University of Makeni, the University of Bologna, the Department of Anaesthesia and Resuscitation of the Sierra Leone University Teaching Hospital at Connaught Hospital, the “Joseph Berton” Technical and Vocational Institute, and the Saint Mary Home of Charity association, with the support of Mercy Ships.

4 are the districts involved in the intervention (Western Area, Bombali, Port Loko, Pujehun); 2,620 young people between the ages of 18 and 35 are involved. The intervention stems from CUAMM’s desire to respond to the shortage of qualified healthcare personnel and, at the same time, to promote a response to the high rate of youth unemployment in the country, particularly due to the lack of decent employment opportunities for young people.

The aim is to promote, in particular, equitable and inclusive access to university and technical-vocational training and to foster the development of job opportunities in the health sector and related services (supply chain), with a particular focus on the most vulnerable young people at risk of marginalisation.

“Education is the beginning and foundation of an inclusive, sustainable and high-quality health system. It is essential to invest continuously in strengthening the skills of healthcare personnel so that they can respond effectively to the needs of the population and contribute to the overall improvement of the system,” said Maria Valla, CUAMM project manager.

This need is also recognised as a priority by the Ministry of Health, which emphasises the value of the project as it is fully aligned with national policies on capacity building and human resource development in the healthcare sector.

“At a time when global, regional and local health issues require creative, innovative and ethical solutions, Catholic universities can also play their part in addressing these challenges by transferring knowledge through training, research and service provision, using and involving communities,” added the representative of the University of Makeni (Unimak). “It is essential to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable populations by ensuring access to quality healthcare through trained and qualified healthcare workers. Thanks to this collaboration, the Ministry of Health will have qualified and competent health professionals and technicians to improve services, while the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) will introduce new study programmes in line with the labour market and with a strong practical component. In addition, we will expand our academic offering by collaborating with international experts and expanding its partnerships,” he concluded.

Promoting and supporting the education of young people from and in the most vulnerable countries is the foundation of CUAMM’s commitment, which today continues in Sierra Leone with this project even more intensely, in a continuous exchange of knowledge and experience with local institutions and partners.

Cholera outbreak in Angola CUAMM emergency response

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Following the first cholera cases recorded early this year, on January 7th the Angolan Ministry of Health officially declared a cholera outbreak. The Country is currently facing one of the most serious cholera outbreaks in decades. As of May 21, more than 21,000 cases and almost 700 deaths have been recorded in 18 of the country’s 21 provinces (WHO, May 2025) being Luanda and Bengo those most severely affected.

The situation is particularly serious in Luanda province, where the lack of clean water, hygiene, and basic sanitation has accelerated the spread of the disease. Entire families are at risk, with no access to adequate means to treat water—and many without even understanding the risks and origin of the disease. The most affected age group is children between 2 and 5 years old, followed by the 10 to 14 age group.

In response to this public health threat, Doctors with Africa CUAMM in collaboration with UNICEF is delivering a emergency response to contain the outbreak and reduce transmission within communities, especially among vulnerable populations. The intervention, financed by the European Union aims to support the Ministry of Health in ending cholera epidemic thus contributing to reduce the case fatality rate.

“For the first time in the country, we are implementing the rapid response methodology known as CATI (Case Area Targeted Intervention), which involves the deployment of a mobile team to carry out disinfection, water chlorination, residual chlorine testing in drinking water, and health education, while establishing a sanitary cordon around the household of the confirmed case. This is complemented by a large-scale outreach effort aimed at raising awareness and reducing risk factors in the city’s bairros, while trained teams conduct disinfection activities and disseminate chlorine in public water sources.” said Edoardo Occa, CUAMM anthropologist and community health expert

As part of the CATI strategy, CUAMM is committed to delivering WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) activities and Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) intervention in 12 municipalities in Luanda province over the next three-months. A grassroot intervention that by combining community-based and IPC activities enhances the effectiveness of the response. While IPC focuses on reducing transmission in healthcare settings and at the household level, community interventions extend this impact across the broader population through awareness, behavior change, and local engagement. This integrated approach ensures faster case detection, wider adoption of safe practices, and addresses the environmental and social factors that drive transmission. Crucially, it also fosters trust and community ownership, which are essential for both immediate outbreak control and longer-term resilience against future epidemics.

WASH and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)

Improving access to safe water is crucial in cholera outbreak control. A bucket chlorination strategy is being rolled out to cover hundreds of community water points —including private water tanks, water transporters (tricycles), community wells, and public fountains. Owners and operators of these points, selected by the communities, are being trained by CUAMM in proper chlorination techniques and mobilized to sustain treatment practices during and beyond the outbreak.

In addition to this, CUAMM is ensuring a proper organisation and distribution plan of the chlorination kits and providing logistical and technical support to municipal surveillance teams by ensuring they have vehicles and proper equipment to conduct the targeted household interventions package within a maximum of 48 h—including active search of cases, household disinfection, and RCCE in cases households and immediate neighbors. Visits to family are moreover an additional opportunity for the teams to identify water sources used by the cases households and the water sources most used by the neighbors of the cases houses and train the owners or managers of these water points to do bucket chlorination.

As part of the emergency response, CUAMM in collaboration with UNICEF has also invested in prevention, community mobilization, and volunteer training to ensure that information and solutions reach those who need them most. In times of health emergency, information is one of the most powerful weapons. Through awareness campaigns, CUAMM and UNICEF are working closely with community leaders, teachers, and health agents to ensure that messages on prevention, control and treatment reach everyone.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)

Community mobilization is being done through trained mobilizers from targeted municipalities supported by a CUAMM team leader. They are in charge of leading interactive dialogues with affected populations at specific and selected central and public gathering sites. These mobilizers are trained to demonstrate water treatment methods and the preparation of standard rehydration solutions (SRO) at Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), and within communities.

Community engagement is paramount not only to deliver effective response but also to promote ownership within communities. Through continuous education and awareness work, they have promoted changes in hygiene habits and water treatment practices. Moreover, by involving the residents themselves in the process, they have strengthened the sense of responsibility and encouraged the population to tackle this public health issue more effectively.