Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - In terms of health and the state of the health care system the Zambezi region is probably the area most in need in the whole of Mozambique. The mortality and mobility rates are unknown but they are probably high due to the low rate of the use of basic health services.
The region of Gile, Maganja de Costa and Moloque in Zambezi has an area of 26,500 sq km and a population of about 700,000 living in dire poverty mainly the result of colonial exploitation, war and damage to the environment, poor social-economic conditions, difficult communications and overpopulation.
The aim of the CUAMM programme is to boost existing basic health care services. Increased activity will mean higher healthcare costs which cannot be met by local health authorities. To keep the services going CUAMM will finance part of the district’s deficit by purchasing basic healthcare material: medicines, vaccines, equipment. It also aims to cut waste.
All over Mozambique the situation is concerning. The country has a population of 18,120,000 and one doctor for every 36,428 people, and 5 dollars health expenses per person. A new born male can be expected to live to the age of 47, a female to 51. What is more 126 of every 1,000 babies die at birth. Only 17% of the rural population has access to clean water. (AP) (17/2/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25 Parole:271)
