Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Addis Ababa (Fides Service) - According to the World Health Organisation every minute a woman dies of complications in pregnancy or while giving birth, and the mortality rate of infants in the early years of life is still high in many countries. Every day 40,000 children die of diseases which, in 70% of the cases, are curable or even preventable with suitable measures of prevention. The causes are mainly lack of medical assistance, lack of clean water, precarious sanitation and under-nourishment which weakens the immune system.
In this context the Pontifical Mission Societies in Austria - Missio Austria - support various programmes for assistance and pastoral care in poor countries such as Ethiopia for example where women and children suffer from lack of medical care and poor sanitary conditions in villages in the Mizan Teferi area. The absence of drains increases the risk of contracting infective diseases. Many live without clean water and electricity and can expect to live an average of 43 years. “In this situation, to improve health conditions it is most important to provide information and education. In collaboration with the Sisters of the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle we can offer women and children a better future” Christian Mazal, secretary general of Missio Austria, told Fides.
Sr. Angeles Perez described the programme supported in collaboration with Missio Austria: “Almost every day I meet mothers who have lost a new born baby or a young child. We want to help these mothers protect their babies from curable diseases such as TB, malaria, diarrhoea and skin diseases.”
The programme supported by Missio Austria also includes vaccination campaigns in the villages around Mizan and regular examination of children under five to prevent under-nourishment. Medical teams visit the villages every two weeks providing information on hygiene, nutrition and prevention of disease, including prevention of AIDS. The Missio Austria programme is set within the framework of initiatives launched in view of the annual World Health Day on 7 April. The motto this year 2005 was “Make every mother and child count”. (M.S.) (Agenzia Fides 11/4/2005 - 31 righe, 402 parole)
