Mozambique: Improving Medical Care
The Mozambican healthcare system suffers from an acute shortage of specialists, hygiene standards and a safe water supply. Cap Anamur is therefore providing aid in this country to improve medical care for the people.
Reconstruction of destroyed medical facilities
Cap Anamur has been working in Mozambique again since 2022 to rebuild the health facilities in the province of Cabo Delgado which were destroyed by terrorist attacks (see news from August 8, 2022). Since March 2023, we have sent medical staff on assignment to support the rebuilt facilities and the provincial hospital in Pemba (see news from March 16, 2023).
Cap Anamur assigns medical professionals to Mozambique
Lukas has been working for us as a nurse in Mozambique since June 2023. He initially supported the work in the rebuilt healthcare facilities in the north of the country. He accompanied the local staff on their rounds and medical check-ups and passed on his expertise. When terrorist attacks were again recorded in these regions, he refocused his work on the provincial hospital in Pemba. The staff there have to care for people under poor working conditions. There is a severe shortage of doctors and the supply of clean water and medicines is inadequate. Cap Anamur has therefore initially improved the supply of medicines and optimized workflows, particularly in the intensive care unit.
Our work ensures a significant reduction in mortality rates
Lukas uses bedside teaching to instruct his colleagues in the intensive care unit in various topics. He trains them in the correct application of medication, the interpretation of laboratory and vital parameters, responding to the actual condition of patients, adhering to hygiene principles and the correct behavior in the event of resuscitation, as well as better documentation. The hospital’s water supply was originally intended to be provided by a connection to a new well. Unfortunately, two boreholes have failed so far. As a result, the water supply is currently still being temporarily maintained by other means. However, in all other areas, Lukas’ work has led to a significant reduction in the mortality rate in the intensive care unit over the past year.
Our midwife optimizes the working process in the maternity ward
Alongside Lukas, Anja works as a midwife at the provincial hospital in Pemba. During her time there, she has optimized many delivery procedures, improved the hygienic conditions in the maternity ward and trained the midwives in important topics. Most recently, she carried out further training on the subject of first aid and resuscitation of newborns. She has also ensured that a new unit is set up exclusively for the initial care of newborns, where heated beds are also available.
Although there are still repeated terrorist attacks in the northern regions, our team supports the work in the rebuilt health facilities there when a temporary change in the security situation allows for it. There, we ensure that medicines are delivered and support the local staff in caring for the people. In the future, the work in Pemba hospital will be improved by the opening of a new intensive care unit and the support of two new doctors. In addition, our midwife will optimize the supply of medicines in the maternity ward and the care of newborns. All of these actions are improving medical care in the northern region of Mozambique, where the healthcare system has been severely damaged by years of terrorist attacks.