MEASLES IN DR CONGO: “Children are the primary victims of the outbreak”
The current measles outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the largest outbreak ever recorded in the world. According to the World Health Organization, since January 1, 2019, more than 311,000 suspected cases have been reported in DRC, with more than 6,000 deaths. ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action) is active in the province of Kasai, and is currently providing patient care and treatment.
Back from Kasai: “in the heart of the void”. A photographer’s testimony
Alexis Huguet, is a freelance photographer who has been living in Africa for the past three years. Today he tells us about his second mission for ALIMA, which took him to the Kasai region in DRC. While some insecurity remains due to pockets of active armed militias, as displaced populations try to resettle, the medical needs are enormous. ALIMA supports two hospitals in Kamuesha and West Kalonda, and has opened nine health centers in Kamuesha, to provide primary and secondary health care and to fight against malnutrition.
Vaccination: the challenges and benefits in West and Central Africa
In sub-Saharan Africa, the fight against infectious disease is a major public health challenge, with deadly consequences. Vaccinations remain one of our most effective weapons in fighting illness and keeping people healthy.
We spoke with Dr. Nafissa Dan-Bouzoua, medical team leader for ALIMA’s programs in Niger, Cameroon, Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Dr. Susan Shepherd, medical expert for ALIMA, who discussed the importance of vaccinations for the health of our patients, and the role that operational research plays in developing vaccines and increasing vaccine coverage.
Cameroon: Despite conflict, hospital care continues
Every day, the ambulance for the Minawao refugee camp parks in front of the Mokolo District Hospital in Cameroon’s Far North Region. Inside, worried mothers hold their feverish children in their arms, who alternate between sleeping and crying.
ALIMA’s innovative approach to fighting malnutrition gaining momentum
The number of mothers in the Sahel trained to screen their children for malnutrition should increase in 2018, following a recommendation by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) that all partner organisations teach mothers to regularly measure the mid-upper arm circumference of their children at home using a simple, tri-colored measuring tape, known as the MUAC.
Bernardin: The Detective
“My name is Bernardin Koalga, but they call me ‘the detective.’” This is how the 40-year-old health agent from Burkina Faso introduces himself.
Bernardin, who is in charge of finding children who have defaulted from ALIMA/SOS Medecins/Keoogo malnutrition treatment programs in the Yako health district, in the north of the country, is on a mission to get all malnourished kids back into treatment.
Read on to learn more about his life-saving work.
