Tackling cholera and meningitis epidemics
International staff: 17
National staff: 200
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MSF has been working in Chad for more than 20 years, supporting
primary health structures, providing nutritional aid
and fighting epidemics. While the country continues to
struggle with annual outbreaks of cholera and meningitis,
MSF has been able to implement a process of gradual disengagement
from its work at the district health level.
Provision of basic health care continues in the prefectures
of Mayo Kebbi and Logone Oriental, and in the district of
Koumra. Consistent training of young people has enabled
MSF to continue its policy in Chad of transferring responsibility
to local medical staff. By early 2002,
support in the Mayo Kebbi region had been
reduced to Bongor and Pala, the largest and
most populous districts.
Beginning in July 2001, Chad was once again
faced with epidemic levels of disease. A cholera
epidemic started in the capital N'Djamena.
MSF intervened through the installation of
cholera treatment centers for the more than
5,000 registered cases. At the same time, flooding
was reported in the region of Logone
Occidental, and MSF responded to the increase
in malaria and diarrheal diseases.
Epidemic levels of meningitis were reached
by March 2002. Mass vaccination of the population
is the only way to halt a meningitis
epidemic and nearly 80,000 people were vaccinated
in Chad in early 2002. MSF is monitoring
an emerging strain of meningitis
(W135), which was the cause of a large-scale
outbreak in Burkina Faso in spring 2002. Currently, the vaccine for W135 is
virtually unavailable in Africa.
MSF has been working in Chad since 1981.
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