DREAM
Protect the population of Beira, Mozambique, particularly those with specific vulnerabilities, also considering the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
Starting date
1 August 2021Duration
12 monthsRealized by:
Comunità di Sant'EgidioObjectives
Enhance the nutritional support of patients at the Polyvalent Centre by improving the nutritional assessment service, distributing food parcels, identifying and taking care of vulnerable patients.
Support and increase the access of women in Beira district to cervical cancer prevention services, through the support of activities already underway, the organisation of screening days and awareness sessions for the target population.
Create mobile teams that can move around Beira offering awareness-raising and information on the services available at the Polyvalent Centre, identifying vulnerable cases, providing home treatment and accompaniment for screening.
Provide a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, carry out a series of activities for both health personnel and the local population, including procurement of materials for sanitation and infection prevention, awareness-raising activities, and involvement of the Zimpeto laboratory for swab processing.
Results
932 children in a state of vulnerability were able to benefit from hot meals and play-educational activities at the Beira Nutrition Centre, thus avoiding being exposed to social isolation and malnutrition.
5,104 people received free and quality care for HIV, TB, COVID-19, cervical cancer, diabetes and hypertension, thus limiting their possible spread or premature deaths, and ensuring patients' continuity of treatment.
693 displaced people were reached by the mobile clinics, without which they would not have been able to receive any health treatment.
11,431 people were made aware of the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic; 203 health and social care staff increased their knowledge and skills in 9 different on-the-job training and education courses.
The project “DREAM: protection for the vulnerable population of Beira” meets the need of the most fragile population in the city of Beira. Due to various climatic events, people in Beira meet serious shortcomings in their access to health services, especially pregnant women, orphans and people with HIV. An already inadequate health service was further damaged in 2019 by Cyclone IDAI and, after the aid provided in the first months and the great international solidarity, reconstruction is slow. In addition to this already complex situation, the situation in Africa is precipitating due to an acceleration of the COVID-19 pandemic, that has never been experienced in the continent before.
The lack of medical personnel in Mozambique is a serious problem, and the deficiencies in the health system disproportionately affect the poor, who are heavily affected by malaria, acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea. Among the main needs identified in the fight against HIV and related diseases, such as COVID, are the integration of HIV services with health services related to non-communicable diseases and the improvement of skills in the health sector.
In line with Goal 3 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, “DREAM: protection for the vulnerable population of Beira” aims to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” in Mozambique, with a long-term impact on reducing HIV-related mortality and reducing HIV transmission, particularly among those who are affected by humanitarian emergencies and the COVID-19.
“DREAM” works in collaboration with the Mozambican Ministry of Health. Many partners are involved and support DREAM’s work, including UNICEF, PEPFAR, numerous cooperation agencies (in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Japan), local associations and religious congregations active in the field.
