{"id":70884,"date":"2025-09-17T17:24:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T15:24:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doctorswithafrica.org\/en\/?p=70884"},"modified":"2025-09-17T17:24:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T15:24:48","slug":"when-care-does-becomes-accessible-to-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doctorswithafrica.org\/it\/when-care-does-becomes-accessible-to-all\/","title":{"rendered":"When Care does Becomes Accessible to All"},"content":{"rendered":"

A free referral system that enables access to services\u2014particularly delivery care\u2014while also revitalizing the entire healthcare system.
\nIt is all expressed in a name, but above all in a goal: \u201cSupport to Essential Maternal and Child Health Services for the Most Vulnerable Population in the Bossangoa Health District.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> This initiative, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by Doctors with Africa CUAMM, was recently concluded in Bossangoa, Central African Republic<\/strong>. Launched in September 2024, the project, after one year of activity, has already yielded concrete and meaningful results through a number of strategic actions outlined below:<\/p>\n

Transport and Referral System<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ensuring free healthcare, together with the introduction of a free referral system to and from the Regional Hospital of Bossangoa, was crucial to facilitating access to maternal health services, particularly delivery care.
\nBetween September 2024 and July 2025, an 11.9% increase<\/strong> was recorded compared to the same period of the previous year.<\/p>\n

The referral system represents one of the most significant outcomes of the intervention in the Bossangoa Health District. The availability of free transportation to and from the hospital not only improved access to services, but also strengthened the population\u2019s perception of the system\u2019s efficiency and usefulness<\/strong>. The hospital has in fact seen a growing influx of emergencies and complex cases requiring advanced care: a indicator is the rate of caesarean sections, which account for 19% of assisted deliveries<\/strong>. At the same time, the number of referrals has exceeded expectations, with a monthly average of 105 cases\u2014eight times the initial level<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Starting from October, CUAMM carried out 29 community sensitization sessions<\/strong>, focusing particularly on the free services available at the Regional University Hospital of Bossangoa.<\/p>\n

Medicines and Consumables<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Among other key activities, the project ensured the procurement and transport of medicines, reagents, and consumables needed for the management of obstetric and neonatal cases\u2014including emergencies\u2014complementing government supplies.
\nIt also secured the purchase and distribution of essential equipment for adequate obstetric and neonatal care across 2 Health Centres and 12 Health Posts<\/strong>. Specifically: a 14-piece surgical instrument set, a weighing scale, a blood pressure monitor, a manual suction device, and a neonatal resuscitation ambu bag.<\/p>\n

In each facility, a tailored training session was conducted to familiarize healthcare staff with the new tools and to contextualize their use within maternal and child health protocols. In total, 18 health workers were trained<\/strong>, including 15 traditional birth attendants<\/strong> and 3 midwifery assistants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Training and Monitoring<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The presence of CUAMM technical staff in the maternity ward of the hospital helped strengthen the skills of local personnel in detecting and correctly recording obstetric emergencies. Between September 2024 and July 2025, data show an increase of nearly 25% in managed obstetric complications<\/strong>, confirming the fundamental impact of the intervention in preventing and reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in the District.<\/p>\n

Moreover, interventions that were previously not fully free\u2014and whose direct and indirect costs represented a major barrier for women, even in emergencies\u2014such as caesarean sections or blood transfusions, can now be provided thanks to the project\u2019s support.<\/p>\n

Since January, five community blood donation campaigns<\/strong> were organized, mobilizing 328 donors<\/strong>. All community activities organized allowed us to engage and reach an overall number of 2,382 people<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Equipment and Maintenance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Special attention was given to improving and maintaining equipment and facilities for obstetric and neonatal care, including those required for emergency management at the hospital. Notably, renovation work on an old building\u2014soon to house a new maternity ward\u2014and the construction of an operating block dedicated to gynecological and obstetric surgery are nearing completion.<\/p>\n

Support to Staff and Management of Hospital Services<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

As part of routine activities, CUAMM supports the management of the Bossangoa Hospital in maintaining a motivated and stable health workforce, indispensable for the proper functioning of maternity, neonatal, and related services. This includes covering salaries and\/or monthly incentives.<\/p>\n

In parallel, CUAMM has taken over the management of the hospital kitchen and, under the direction of ward heads, ensures the provision of two daily meals<\/strong> to all hospitalized patients.<\/p>\n

Consolidating Prospects<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The commitment continues and strengthens, still with the support of Italian Cooperation, through the project \u201cPromoting Access to Health and Nutrition Services for Women and Children in the Bossangoa Health District.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Interventions will operate at multiple levels:<\/p>\n