What we do > Chad > Strengthened mother-child health care through involvment of village communities

Communities set the course

In 2019, Women's Hope International launched a project with partner BASE (Bureau d'Appui Santé et Environnement) to improve maternal and infant health services in the Abougoudam sanitary district in the Ouaddaï region, in eastern Chad.

Goal

Strong mother-child health care and reduced gender-based violence through involvement of village communities

Overview

In the Ouaddaï region in eastern Chad, health care is precarious, especially for women. The border region with Sudan suffers not only from recurrent conflicts, but also from the lack of well-functioning health institutions. This has serious consequences, especially for pregnant women. Only every fifth woman gives birth in a health institution: maternal mortality is 170 times higher than in Switzerland. Many women have no access to health care, existing health centres are poorly equipped and many people have little trust in existing institutions.
Women's health is also affected by gender-based violence. This can result in unwanted pregnancies, dangerous abortions, fistula or HIV and has a negative impact on the sexual and reproductive health of the population.

What we do

During the first phase of the project, the partner organisation BASE and WHI held discussions with the affected communities. In these discussions, the communities mentioned various obstacles to better health care. For example, many women wanted more privacy when giving birth in a medical facility. In many cases, transport to centres and hospitals, especially during the rainy season, is also problematic and poses a major obstacle. To address these problems, activities include the following:

The expansion of the infrastructure, for example by means of water supply, improved equipment and the construction of birth centres together with the communities.

Training and education of health workers and health centre managers.

Realization of a health insurance system based on solidarity and mutuality.

The operation and organization of rescue transport, such as the "Barbaras" (moto ambulances) acquired in the first phase of the project.

Our goals

Communities are the biggest actors when it comes to their own health care.

The selected health centres are able to provide quality health services.

The local health system has strenthened capacity to respond appropriately to cases of gender-based violence. Barriers that facilitate gender-based violence are reduced by engaging the communitites.

There is a functioning exchange between the communities and the local health authorities.

Key persons are actively involved in ensuring good access to health care.

Sustainability

Together with the communities, approaches are developed that are tailored to the needs of the women. The communities are thus the main drivers in the implementation of the project activities and will strive to continue them after the end of the project.

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Project insights

Cover picture: Amné Ahmat at a community consultation; Image: Salomon Djekorgee Dainyoo/WHI/Fairpicture
Picture in article: Mariam Souleyman (left) picks up medicines at the pharmacy; Image: Salomon Djekorgee Dainyoo/WHI/Fairpicture

Overview:

Country:
Chad
Period:
New project phase: 01.03.2023 - 31.12.2025
Pilot project and the preparatory phase: 01.07.2020-28.02.2023
Local partner:
Bureau d’Appui Santé et Environnement (BASE)
Target groups:
Women, especially pregnant women, newborns, women with obstetric fistula, health centre managers, traditional birth attendants, midwives, midwifery students