Category: News

From Mozambique and Angola to Panama: How Community Participation Can Shape Global Health Responses

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

As outbreaks become more frequent, complex and interconnected, one lesson has become increasingly clear: effective emergency response depends not only on medical expertise, supplies and technical capacity, but also on trust, dialogue and the active participation of communities in protecting their own health.

This was the perspective we brought to the Social and Behaviour Change Communication SBCC Summit 2026 in Panama, one of the world’s leading global gatherings on SBCC. Together with experts and practitioners from around the world, we contributed to the discussion on how social and behavioural approaches can strengthen preparedness for and response to health emergencies.

“It is not rhetoric, and it may sound obvious, but taking social and behavioural determinants into account is an essential prerequisite for designing effective and cost-efficient health interventions, particularly in emergencies and low-resource settings,” said Edoardo Occa, CUAMM Community Health Expert.

The Summit took place at a critical moment for global health. From cholera outbreaks intensified by climate-related shocks to emerging infectious diseases, emergency responses face a common challenge: ensuring that people understand, trust and adopt recommended prevention and control measures.

While investments in outbreak response often prioritize logistics, surveillance systems and clinical care, a growing body of evidence shows that interventions are more effective when communities are actively involved in their design and implementation. Social and Behaviour Change approaches help health actors understand local perceptions, identify barriers to protective behaviours and establish meaningful dialogue with the people most affected by crises.

“Community engagement is often treated as a secondary component of emergency response, but our research shows the opposite. This is how we build trust, foster dialogue and create participation and ownership. It is through this process that we improve adherence to public health measures and make interventions more effective,” added Occa.

The Summit opened with a call for a change in mindset from Panama’s Minister of Health, Dr. Fernando Boyd Galindo. As health emergencies become the “new normal”, he argued, preparedness can no longer rely solely on clinical and logistical capacities. Social and Behaviour Change must be recognized as a core pillar of resilient health systems, improving the acceptability, effectiveness and cost-efficiency of emergency interventions while informing programme design and resource allocation.

The Summit also represented an important advocacy opportunity for CUAMM, bringing field-based experience into a global conversation on health emergency preparedness and response.

“For CUAMM, participating in the SBCC Summit meant bringing to an international audience the lessons we have learned by working alongside communities every day,” said Andrea Atzori, CUAMM Head of International Relations. “Our experience consistently shows that investing in community-based interventions is essential not only to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, but also to strengthen people’s capacity—especially the most vulnerable—to access health services. International platforms like this are crucial for ensuring that these field experiences help shape national and global policies.”

This message strongly echoed the evidence we presented from operational research conducted with UNICEF in Angola and Mozambique. Recent studies carried out in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, showed that social and behavioural approaches significantly improved community preparedness for climate-sensitive infectious diseases and increased the adoption of preventive behaviours in emergency settings. The research also identified the social and environmental factors associated with cholera and acute watery diarrhoea among climate-vulnerable populations, providing evidence to better target public health interventions. Complementary findings from Angola further highlighted the acceptability and effectiveness of community-based targeted interventions during the cholera outbreak in Luanda. Together, these studies reinforce a growing body of evidence demonstrating that community engagement is not an add-on to emergency response, but a fundamental component of effective, resilient and sustainable public health action.

While these conclusions resonated strongly throughout the Summit in Panama, for us at CUAMM they are not new. They reflect years of working alongside communities in Angola, Mozambique and other countries where we operate, where community engagement is an integral part of everyday public health practice rather than an abstract concept. The evidence presented at the Summit builds on this field experience, showing how operational research and community-based interventions can generate knowledge that informs global policy. By bringing lessons learned from local contexts to international discussions, community voices can help shape more effective, equitable and resilient responses to future health emergencies.

The future of TB care in Karamoja: the end of a project that marks a new beginning

Posted on by Angela Bertocco

“I had coughed for more than 5 months without stopping. I went to Napumpum health center and other peripheral private clinics in Kotido town; initially, they gave me Amoxicillin capsules and other medicines for pneumonia, but my cough was not responding to any of these medicines. I was getting worse day by day, and I thought the cause was an evil spirit”.

This is the story told by Adome Lochul, a 32-year-old peasant who lives with his wife and two children in a village in the Kotido district, within the Karamoja region of Uganda.

“I was referred to Kotido General Hospital where they took a sample of my sputum, and I was diagnosed with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). I didn’t understand what it meant; it was only explained to me that it needed to be treated at Matany Hospital, far away from my village. I was really scared and worried, but the health workers and Dr. Paul encouraged me, assuring me that I would recover and explaining that a team of doctors from the Hospital and CUAMM would come to pick me up for treatment. I accepted and, as promised, the team reached my village, where they sensitized the community on TB, screened people, and collected samples from those who were coughing; then they transported me to Matany Hospital for care. They performed various tests, a chest X-ray to check my lungs, and provided me with the necessary medications. The doctors and nurses checked the ward every day, and during my stay, I met other patients who came from Kotido and Kaabong districts, which are very far from Matany; we became friends and encouraged each other to adhere to the therapy and get cured,” Adome added. “When I was discharged, food items such as sugar, salt, cooking oil, and flour were delivered to my home to help support my therapy. I also receive financial support to cover travel expenses on clinic days and to refill medicines at Matany Hospital”.

Since April 2025, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been implementing the project “PRO-TB: Strengthening the Organized Network for Tuberculosis in Karamoja,” supported by the Charitable Fund and social and cultural initiatives of Intesa Sanpaolo. In this north-eastern region of Uganda, tuberculosis continues to hit hard, much more so than in the rest of the country.

The intervention has had a clear objective: to strengthen the existing networks for tuberculosis screening, case notification, and treatment in Napak and Moroto, while expanding access to care for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB/MDR-TB) across all nine districts of the sub-region.

TB control in areas like Karamoja is challenging and complex. The communities are predominantly pastoralist, health facilities are scattered across a vast and often inaccessible territory, and healthcare-seeking behavior is heavily influenced by cultural practices and a certain mistrust towards formal healthcare systems.

“We, who are uneducated peasants, don’t have much of an idea of what TB is and sometimes mistake it for something else, just like what happened to me. It is thanks to programs like this from the Government and CUAMM that my people and I were informed, changing our beliefs and later supporting us throughout the treatment. For this reason, people need to be aware. The real challenge comes with home-based care, when taking medications every day becomes difficult and food is scarce. I, however, do my best with the support of my wife”.

Over the course of the project, 4,690 people were screened in the health facilities of the two districts; 1,558 presumptive cases of tuberculosis were identified, and 78 new cases were diagnosed using GeneXpert technology. Furthermore, 968 health workers were trained through on-the-job mentorship, and 145 multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients were transported and initiated on treatment across the two DR-TB centers of the two districts; 413 patients with various forms of TB were managed at Matany Hospital. Additionally, 20,609 people were reached by awareness-raising activities on the disease during community outreach campaigns, thanks to the invaluable contribution of Village Health Teams (VHTs).

“Closing a project like PRO-TB means much more than presenting a final report; it means laying the foundations for the work to continue. We wanted this final meeting to recognize the extraordinary commitment of the healthcare teams and the DR-TB centers of Matany and Moroto, but above all to encourage the districts to learn from the collected data, results, and treated cases. Sustainability is not automatic: it requires clear agreements and defined responsibilities. By validating the milestones achieved and analyzing the experiences lived, the goal is to define a shared and concrete action plan. We want the health systems of Napak, Moroto, and the entire Karamoja sub-region to be ready to own and implement these activities, ensuring that this moment marks a new beginning for tuberculosis care in the territory, and not an end,” concluded Dr. Solomon Aleper, CUAMM Project Manager.

Cuamm’s philosophy is to accompany local authorities and communities so that the legacy of this intervention is embraced with responsibility, for a more sustainable healthcare system that is deeply rooted in the territory.

The strength of Maker, the strength of South Sudan

Posted on by Angela Bertocco

“He arrived at the neonatal ward of Rumbek Hospital in a severe state of hypothermia and with respiratory distress. Maker weighed about one kilo; he was born at home without adequate assistance. Abeng, the young 19-year-old mother, reportedly experienced family conflicts during her pregnancy because it occurred out of wedlock,” says Dr. Oham Ejikeme Chukwuka, a CUAMM doctor. “At the time of admission, we did not have an incubator available, and there was only one nurse on regular duty. The newborn was immediately resuscitated and stabilized with oxygen therapy, antibiotics, and the ‘kangaroo mother care’ practice, which involves skin-to-skin contact to maintain body temperature. The improvement was gradual, and Abeng was finally able to start breastfeeding him.”

After three weeks, the mother and the baby, who had become clinically stable in the meantime, were discharged. Abeng received a thari, a wrap to continue skin-to-skin contact at home. At the follow-up visit one week after discharge, Maker weighed 1.45 kg and continued to grow; two months later, he reached a weight of 3 kg, and Abeng returned to the ward also to express her gratitude to the entire team.

Hospitals that endure

These are the Rumbek and Yirol Hospitals in Lakes State, South Sudan, despite a peripheral healthcare network facing severe difficulties and a country showing the dramatic effects of the heavy reduction in aid by major international donors. After months of unpaid salaries, lack of drug supplies, and the impossibility of meeting essential needs such as purchasing cleaning materials or fuel to run the generator, most health facilities have suspended their activities. The consequences have been a collapse in outpatient and antenatal visits, as well as vaccinations, triggering several epidemic outbreaks, particularly of measles.

In this landscape, the Rumbek and Yirol Hospitals represent an exception, remaining the only providers of basic and emergency care, with a constantly growing number of patients and encouraging results in terms of increased deliveries and reduced maternal mortality. Doctors with Africa CUAMM, which has been supporting them for several years, continues to promote access to and utilization of effective services to prevent and promptly respond to the main emergencies, particularly obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric ones. Just like for little Maker.

Results that matter

During 2025, there were 5,708 assisted deliveries, 705 obstetric emergencies treated, 10,515 pediatric admissions, and 4,671 ambulance referrals, also thanks to the “Resilience and inclusion project for health and the improvement of living conditions of women, children, and people with disabilities in Lakes State and Warrap State” (AID12869), funded by the Italian Cooperation and implemented with Amref Health Africa ETS, Amref Health Africa in South Sudan, CBM Italia ETS, and CBM International, in addition to the South Sudanese NGO African Development Aid.

“The project has allowed for the continuous presence of an adequate number of staff and the constant availability of medicines, which are basic conditions to guarantee care and to strengthen the population’s trust in the healthcare system, thereby fostering demand for services,” reports Chiara Scanagatta, CUAMM Program Manager for South Sudan and the Central African Republic.

“Health and nutrition education sessions, combined with the distribution of essential kits to complete the continuum of care—from the first antenatal visit to the last vaccination within the child’s first year of life—have led to a significant increase in the number of women who undergo the required 4 antenatal visits and at least 2 postnatal visits, who choose to give birth in the hospital, and who follow the vaccination schedule for their children.
Technical accompaniment by CUAMM healthcare personnel has initiated a continuous improvement in the capacities of the local hospital team and the quality of care provided, achieving results that until recently were unimaginable for a context like South Sudan. In particular, the presence of a specialist pediatrician and investments in infrastructure and equipment have made it possible to set up and develop the neonatal unit of Rumbek Hospital, equipped with dedicated staff, doubling the number of small patients on an annual basis and achieving a survival rate of 90%,” Chiara notes.

Humanity to be safeguarded

For the dignity of many, so many like Abeng and Maker, CUAMM continues to reaffirm the principle of humanity: providing care is an act of resistance that is renewed every day in the commitment to safeguard the lives of the most vulnerable.

Strengthening healthcare in Karamoja

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

A four-day field visit to Northern Karamoja marked an important moment to celebrate the progress achieved through long-term collaboration to strengthen health services in one of Uganda’s most underserved regions.

We had the pleasure of welcoming and accompanying the Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda, H.E. Mags McGeown, during her official visit to Karamoja, together with the Irish delegation, district leaders, health workers and local authorities. The visit was an opportunity to see first-hand how sustained partnership and investment can contribute to building stronger health systems and bringing quality care closer to communities.

Accompanied by our Country Representative Dr Peter Lochoro, the delegation visited health facilities across the region and celebrated key milestones in maternal and newborn health, access to essential medicines, and emergency referral services.

The visit culminated in the handover of several key health infrastructures supported by Irish Aid and implemented by our team in collaboration with local health authorities. Premises include the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) at Abim and Kaabong hospitals that will help strengthen the capacity to provide specialised care for vulnerable newborns; a renovated drug store in Karenga, to guarantee storage and management of essential medicines and a Mother Waiting Shed and Blood Bank Unit in Moroto, to support safer deliveries, emergency care and referral services.

“70% of newborn mortality happens in the first week of life, and this shows how important it is to have a functioning NICU,” highlighted Dr Peter Lochoro during the handover of the neonatal facilities.

During the visit to Karenga Health Centre IV, H.E. Mags McGeown underlined the importance of ensuring that essential medicines are available and properly stored:

“One of the most essential elements of healthcare is the availability of medicines, and proper storage is something very important to look at. Thank you for not ignoring it.”

The infrastructures handed over are part of the initiative “Strengthening district health systems for improved access to and utilization of quality RMNCAH integrated services in Karamoja”, that we are implementing with the support of Irish Aid. The programme aims to strengthen the health system at all levels and improve access to and quality of maternal, newborn and child health services across the region.

People before patients

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

“Working with CUAMM taught me that, as a pediatrician, I must care not only for the disease, but for the whole person.”

These are the words of Eleni Hagos, an Ethiopian pediatrician who has been working with CUAMM since 2020 at St. Luke Hospital in Wolisso, in the Oromia region, about 115 kilometres from Addis Ababa. In recent months, Eleni travelled to Italy for an advanced training and professional exchange programme between the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Gaslini Hospital in Genoa and the NICU of the Istituto Clinico Poliambulanza in Brescia, as part of a collaboration with the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS).

Her visit concluded in Padua, where she took part in a workshop at Cuamm headquarters aimed at strengthening neonatal care in her home country.

Her first encounter with CUAMM happened almost by chance:

“I hadn’t planned to work here. One day a friend told me they were looking for a pediatrician, so I applied. Six years have passed since then.”

Before arriving in Wolisso, she had already worked in other hospitals. While clinical work is, broadly speaking, not so different, she says something has changed in the way she views her profession.

“It gave me the opportunity to better understand how a hospital connects with the healthcare system as a whole—from working with health offices and local institutions to engaging with the community. It was something I had not been particularly exposed to before.”

An important perspective in a country where access to healthcare continues to be marked by deep geographical inequalities.

“Being a pediatrician is more or less the same everywhere. What changes are the patients and the context in which they live.”

In rural areas, Eleni explains, malnutrition is more widespread and often more severe than in cities. Infectious diseases also vary depending on the region, as does access to medicines and more advanced diagnostic tests. Although Wolisso is only 115 kilometres from the capital—far from being the country’s most remote area—accessing healthcare services is still far from easy for many people.

“Some patients travel for more than six hours to reach the hospital; others walk for days,” Eleni says.

It is also for this reason that, during her years working alongside CUAMM, she has developed a strong conviction: improving access to healthcare requires looking beyond individual diseases. It means shifting the focus from a single case to the wider population and building connections between hospitals, institutions, healthcare workers, and communities.

“One of the most important things I have learned is the value of community engagement. Prevention, screening, follow-up care—everything starts in the community and reaches the hospital. It’s not just about saving a child’s life. We must accompany them over time, helping both the child and their family cope with the consequences of illness. When a life is saved, our job does not end there.”

Among the many patients she has cared for over the years, one remains particularly close to her heart.

It was a young girl suffering from severe malnutrition who arrived at the hospital in critical condition. Weak, emaciated, and unable even to walk, she had completely lost her appetite due to malnutrition and its complications. Her mother stayed by her bedside every day, anxiously watching for any sign of improvement.

For weeks, the team’s work went far beyond medical treatment alone: nutritional rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychosocial support, and play activities all helped the child regain her strength and confidence.

“It truly warmed my heart to see her transformation day after day. Slowly, she began eating again, interacting with her mother, and gaining weight.”

Eventually, the girl was discharged and able to return home. But her story did not end there.

“She still comes back for follow-up visits. It’s wonderful to see them. It makes me happy to watch the mother and daughter laughing together.”

Clean Cooking, fostering the commitment to improved cooking solutions

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

Yesterday in Luanda, we attended the inauguration of a new improved cookstove production center, which will enable the large-scale manufacturing of innovative, efficient, and improved cookstoves. This new facility complements the existing center in Benguela and will support the large-scale production of modern and innovative models as part of the Clean Cooking programme.

Promoted by Eni and implemented in partnership with the Salesianos de Dom Bosco, the programme aims to improve access to modern cooking solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa while also integrating interventions to support community health.

In Uíge, northern Angola, we are engaged in promoting hygiene, health, and nutrition activities, strengthening nutrition services, and training healthcare personnel across 15 health facilities in five municipalities. To date, four health centres have been renovated and upgraded to provide enhanced nutrition services; our awareness-raising activities have reached more than 37,000 people, while training programmes have involved 247 community health workers and 89 healthcare professionals.

This work starts within communities and extends to hospitals, while also strengthening peripheral health centres to ensure the effective management of acute malnutrition cases and continuity of care.

As part of the intervention, we adopt an innovative Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) approach, which seeks to encourage the adoption of healthier practices and ensure the long-term impact of the programme.

This is a tangible example of how access to energy, health, and community development can advance together, generating meaningful benefits for both people and the local area.

Building inclusion for children most in need

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

Yesterday, Tosamaganga Regional Referral Hospital hosted the final event of the INCLUSIVA Project – “Addressing Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Iringa DC”, launched in July 2024 and funded by the Centre for Global Health of the Tuscany Region.

The project was implemented in Iringa DC in collaboration with CALL Africa NGO, Fondazione Amici di Stella Maris, and Tosamaganga Regional Referral Hospital, with the aim of promoting and strengthening knowledge and awareness of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders and developmental delays.

Over the past two years, the project carried out a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey to assess community awareness, beliefs, and behaviours related to neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, two training programmes were delivered for healthcare workers from health facilities across Iringa DC, alongside technical assessments designed to evaluate their level of knowledge and awareness on the topic. These activities generated valuable data and provided a clearer understanding of local needs, offering an initial picture of the current situation and the challenges that remain.

INCLUSIVA represents an important starting point for the development of future interventions, helping to strengthen existing services and promote greater inclusion for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families.

The event provided an important opportunity for dialogue and knowledge sharing, during which participants reviewed the project’s achievements, assessed the current situation, and discussed future opportunities and priorities.

Attendees included local and regional authorities, representatives from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Community Development, as well as stakeholders actively engaged in the area. Participants had the opportunity to visit Tosamaganga Hospital and several key services dedicated to child health and development, including the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Corner, the Neurology Clinic, the Malnutrition Unit, and the demonstration kitchen, which is used for educational and practical sessions with mothers of children admitted for malnutrition treatment.

The visit also provided an opportunity to learn more about the work carried out by CALL Africa NGO in support of children with physical and cognitive disabilities. Participants toured the facilities dedicated to rehabilitation and support activities, gaining insight into the services provided and the organization’s ongoing commitment to promoting inclusion and improving the quality of life of children and their families.

The strong participation and engagement of all stakeholders confirmed both the relevance of the topic and the growing interest in addressing neurodevelopmental disorders within the region. The event also opened the door to new opportunities for collaboration and partnership.

The work carried out through INCLUSIVA marks the beginning of a broader journey aimed at improving care pathways, clinical management, awareness, and services for children with neurodevelopmental disorders across Iringa District Council.

Faith-Based Health Systems: Building Trust and Expanding Access to Care in Sub-Saharan Africa

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

In many countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, faith-based health facilities provide a significant share of essential healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities. Despite their vital contribution, these institutions often remain underrecognized and insufficiently integrated into formal health systems.

These issues were at the center of Faith-Based Health Systems: Building Trust in Sub-Saharan Africa, a webinar hosted by the Georgetown-Lancet Commission on Faith, Trust, and Health. Bringing together experts from academia, healthcare, faith communities, and international organizations, the event explored the role of faith-based health systems through both Christian and Islamic perspectives, while highlighting frontline experiences from across the continent.

We contributed to the discussion by sharing insights and expertise gained through our long-standing commitment to supporting faith-based organizations (FBOs) across the region. Dr. Emanuela Parotto, Clinical Consultant at CUAMM, presented key results, findings, and lessons learned from this work. Other distinguished speakers included Ibrahim Bola Gobir, Assistant Professor at Georgetown University; Nkatha Njeru, CEO of ACHAP; Nate Smith, Executive Pastor at Trinity Anglican Church; and Derek Yach, Global Noncommunicable Disease Advisor at CMMB.

The strong interest generated by the webinar was reflected in a record level of engagement, making it the most attended session of the series to date. The event attracted 146 unique viewers from 26 countries, spanning four continents. Participants joined from countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Denmark, Zambia, and Brazil, underscoring the global resonance of the topics discussed and the growing interest in faith-based approaches to health systems strengthening.

The discussion underscored the critical role that Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) play in healthcare delivery across Sub-Saharan Africa, while drawing attention to a persistent gap: national health frameworks often fail to fully leverage the reach, trust, and expertise of these institutions.

CUAMM’s Commitment to Strengthening Faith-Based Healthcare

Recognizing the strategic importance of FBOs, CUAMM launched a major initiative in 2019 to support faith-based organizations delivering healthcare services across Africa. The webinar provided an opportunity to showcase the results of this ongoing commitment.

Dr. Emanuela Parotto presented findings from extensive field assessments conducted between November 2021 and February 2024. The study evaluated 63 health facilities belonging to 48 faith-based organizations across 11 countries: Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, and Togo.

Using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies—including Health Facility Assessment Questionnaires (HFAQ) and Disaster Preparedness Assessment Questionnaires (DPAQ)—the research provided a comprehensive overview of the strengths, challenges, and potential of faith-based healthcare providers in the region.

A Cornerstone of Healthcare Delivery

Evidence presented during the webinar showed that faith-based providers deliver between 30% and 70% of healthcare services in many Sub-Saharan African countries.

For decades, these organizations have played a central role in national health systems, often maintaining a continuous presence in communities where public services are limited or absent. Their commitment to serving vulnerable populations, combined with deep local roots, has enabled them to become highly trusted actors within the communities they serve.

This trust is one of their greatest assets. Built through long-standing relationships, shared values, and moral leadership, it encourages positive health-seeking behaviors, improves adherence to treatment, and supports sustained utilization of healthcare services. As highlighted during the webinar, growing evidence shows that trust is not merely a social asset but a critical determinant of health system performance and legitimacy.

Three Pillars of Support

CUAMM’s initiative is built around three complementary pillars designed to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of faith-based healthcare providers:

  • Training: Development and delivery of tailored training programmes for both medical and administrative staff.
  • Technical Assistance: Field missions conducted by CUAMM experts to assess facility performance, identify operational gaps, and support quality improvement processes.
  • Advocacy: Promotion of evidence-based policies and dissemination of research findings to foster greater recognition and integration of faith-based facilities within national healthcare systems.

Strong Foundations, Persistent Challenges

While faith-based organizations demonstrate remarkable commitment, resilience, and community engagement, they continue to face significant structural barriers.

Key challenges identified through the assessments include:

  • Shortages of qualified health personnel;
  • Inadequate infrastructure and equipment;
  • Limited preparedness for emergencies and disasters;
  • Weak health information and data management systems;
  • Financial instability and resource constraints;
  • Insufficient integration and coordination within national health systems.

These obstacles affect the ability of FBOs to fully realize their potential, despite their proven capacity to reach remote and marginalized populations.

The Path Forward: Integration, Recognition, and Partnership

A clear message emerged from the webinar: faith-based organizations should not be viewed as peripheral actors, but as essential components of national healthcare systems.

Their limitations are not primarily the result of organizational weaknesses; rather, they stem from insufficient structural integration, recognition, and support. Strengthening partnerships between governments, faith-based providers, donors, and development organizations would enable countries to better harness one of their most valuable healthcare assets: community trust.

The webinar concluded with a strong call to action for policymakers, donors, and health leaders. Investing in the integration of faith-based health providers is not simply a matter of filling service gaps. It is an opportunity to strengthen healthcare access, improve quality of care, and build more resilient and inclusive health systems for the future.

In case you missed the webinar and are curious to learn more:

WATCH RECORDING

The Ethiopian Society of Neonatology is born: inaugural ceremony held in Addis Ababa

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

The official launch event of the Ethiopian Society of Neonatology (ESN) was held last week in Addis Ababa, marking a historic milestone and a fundamental step forward in newborn care in Ethiopia. We also took part in this major inaugural ceremony alongside numerous national and international partners who, like us, have been on the front lines in the country for years to guarantee the right to health for mothers and their babies.

For us at CUAMM, the creation of the Ethiopian Society of Neonatology represents the achievement of our daily efforts in supporting hospitals, equipping neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and providing continuous training for local professionals. As Maria Perrella, CUAMM Country Representative, commented:

«Being present in Addis Ababa for this launch reaffirms our organization’s commitment to walking “with” Africa, supporting local institutions in building strong, resilient, and autonomous healthcare systems, so that no child is denied a future».

The event, organized in close collaboration with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MoH), was attended by the Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma, as well as representatives from UNICEF, WHO, the Gates Foundation, and prestigious academic institutions dedicated to public health.

The Ethiopian Society of Neonatology aims to bring together neonatologists, pediatricians, neonatal nurses, midwives, and researchers under a single vision: to ensure that every newborn in Ethiopia has access to timely, safe, equitable, evidence-based, and high-quality neonatal care, enabling all children not only to survive but to thrive.

As highlighted in the opening speech by the President of ESN, pediatrician and neonatologist Dr. Asrat Dimtse, the establishment of the society addresses the urgent need to build networks.

«Today marks a historic milestone in ensuring that every newborn receives the care they deserve. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Health, all partners, and supporters who made this vision a reality. Newborn mortality remains a dramatic challenge: every year, too many children face preventable complications. ESN was founded precisely to reduce this mortality rate through solid partnerships, research, and international standards. Our vision is simple yet ambitious: to ensure every newborn has access to timely, dignified, and high-quality care. Every newborn life matters: this is our motto, our mission, and our goal,» stated Dr. Asrat, President of the Ethiopian Society of Neonatology.

Challenges at the heart of the debate

The launch of ESN was not only a celebratory moment but also a platform for crucial technical discussion. During the panel discussion titled “Advancing Newborn Care in Ethiopia: Experiences, Challenges, and Strategic Priorities”, leading experts exchanged views on international standards of care and strategies to reduce preventable newborn deaths through specialized staff training.

«Improving neonatal care requires a concrete investment in advocacy, research, and infrastructure. Today, the challenges are many—from limited supplies to the need for staff training—but we are determined to find solutions. We must join forces: the key to success lies in consolidating partnerships and conducting strong advocacy to mobilize the necessary resources. No one can do it alone; it requires multisectoral collaboration,» affirmed the Minister of Health, Dr. Dereje Duguma.

In Tanzania with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: Together for the Health of the most vulnerable

Posted on by Flavia Fiacco

Sharing best practices, joining forces, and charting new paths to guarantee the right to health and a future—even in the most isolated areas of the African continent. With this shared goal, we took part in the annual conference organized by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in Tanzania. The event brought together international partners, local institutions, experts, and civil society organizations, all united by a common commitment to sustainable development.

At the heart of the working groups and panel discussions were core themes of our daily field operations: maternal and child health, nutrition, and the strategic importance of resilient community health systems.

Participating in this global network represents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the work carried out on the ground, particularly in Tanzania, where CUAMM has been working alongside local authorities for years to improve access to maternal and child healthcare.

A central focus of the discussions in Tanzania was dedicated to safeguarding, a dimension that CUAMM considers absolutely essential when operating in fragile settings. True health delivery goes beyond clinical efficacy; safeguarding ensures that programs are safe, transparent, accountable, and deeply respectful of the dignity of the individuals and communities being served. By embedding strict safeguarding principles into the training of Catholic Sisters and health workers, the partnership guarantees a protective environment for the most vulnerable, particularly women and children.

The convening also provided a vital opportunity to explore the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Strategy 2030. Participants engaged in deep-dive sessions examining its methodology, implementation approaches, and core objectives, aligning CUAMM’s field experience with the Foundation’s overarching Theory of Change and Theory of Action. This strategic alignment ensures that current and future interventions are not only optimized for immediate relief but are structurally designed to generate sustainable, multi-generational impact.

“The convening was an important opportunity to highlight the value of investing in Catholic sisters’ leadership and supporting community-based responses that can generate sustainable impact.  It was not only a space for learning and networking, but also a powerful reminder of the importance of partnerships, shared responsibility, and collective action.” Said Laura Braga – CUAMM International Relations Officer

Empowering the Frontline: The Impactful Journey of CUAMM and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

In the fragile ecosystems of sub-Saharan Africa’s healthcare networks, Catholic Sisters and faith-based organizations (FBOs) are often the quiet backbone of survival. Operating in some of the most remote, under-resourced, and crisis-prone regions, these dedicated women and local institutions provide a lifeline to marginalized communities. However, the complex challenges of modern healthcare—ranging from climate-induced emergencies to financial management—require more than just devotion; they require specialized skills, resilient systems, and strategic leadership.

Recognizing this critical need, Doctors with Africa CUAMM and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation joined forces in 2023. This strategic partnership was born out of a shared vision: to empower local Catholic organizations delivering health services, transforming them into sustainable, highly effective, and climate-resilient pillars of care.

Three years into this journey, the fruits of this collaboration are visibly reshaping healthcare delivery across three focus countries: Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and Sierra Leone. To date, the project has successfully engaged 66 Sisters and trained 94 Sisters across the target countries.

Continuing to Walk Together

The insights and frameworks gained during these intensive days will serve as vital blueprints for CUAMM to optimize ongoing projects and shape innovative intervention strategies.

As the conference ends, our commitment does not: the goal remains to translate the global strategies discussed at these international assemblies into concrete actions, medicines, care, and hope for mothers and children in Africa.