Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – These are the questions which Saturday Cuamm on 22 November on the theme “Caring for Children 25 years after Alma Ata: the Angola case” will try to answer. Saturday Cuamm study days aim to help the public share the reflections elboarated by the Organisation every yaer on questions and problems regarding Africa, the world of cooperation, events, projects.
Health as a fundamental right, a “a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing” not simply the “absence of sickness or infirmity”. This vision will be the background for the debate on themes of childcare in developing countries, infant mortality and ways to reduce it on Saturday 22 November at the Cuamm, Doctors with Africa head offices in Padova.
More than ten million children under five die every year of preventable diseases. The highest mortality rates of children under five are registered in Africa: Sierra Leone (316 out of 1.000 born alive), Niger (270) e Angola (260) are the countries with the highest world rate. The fundamental and distinctive objective of Cuamm has always been an intergrated apporach to health,, in continuity with its history and sharing the inspiring principles ispiratori of the Alma Ata Declaration (1978) on primary health assistance.
“In September 2002 Cuamm took over the children’s department in Uige Hospital and in December the Feeding Centre. Both departments are always filled to capacity especially in the rain season when malaria is rampant. Every day we treat between 170 and 250 children. During 2002 we hospitalised 8.450 children, with an average rate of 2-3 children per bed… Nursing staff is scarce only 3-4 nurses are on duty at a time to attend to the new arrivals, treatment and about 60 intravenous feedings every day ” Doctor Carmelo Fanelli, of Cuamm on mission in Uige from November 2002 to February 2003 told Fides. (AP) (19/11/2003 Fides Service; lines:31 words: 389)
