Over 24,500 people in Somalia’s Balcad district have received healthcare thanks to a six-month Islamic Relief project.
Poor living conditions and lack of access to even basic healthcare in Balcad, 40 kilometres north of the country’s capital, have led to outbreaks of measles, acute watery diarrhoea, and other infectious diseases.
The scheme addressed the health risks faced by communities by supporting health centres to deliver ‘women-friendly’ services, delivering mobile health clinics, and raising community awareness.
Situated next to a school previously constructed by Islamic Relief, Balcad Health Centre was the focal point of the project, which ensured regular and free access to healthcare for schoolchildren and the local community – especially people facing dire conditions in crowded camps for displaced people.
Medical doctors, nurses and midwives provided much-needed health care, largely focusing on maternal, newborn and child health. Mobile outreach services were also delivered.
Islamic Relief recruited local health workers to carry out awareness-raising activities in the community. They promoted good health and nutrition practices including pre and post-natal care, hygiene and first aid.
The six-month project ended in December having helped 24,522 people. Islamic Relief began working in Somalia in 2006, and now delivers projects covering education, health, water and sanitation, livelihoods and child welfare.
Original source: Islamic Relief
Published on 15 April 2019
