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Central African Republic
Malaria causes the highest rates of death and sickness in the country. To help address this problem, in August 2004, MSF and the ministry of health signed an agreement to treat all malaria patients in the eastern prefecture of Haut Mbomou with highly effective artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). In addition to offering testing and medical treatment, MSF staff are also training national health staff working in 20 of the area's health structures and rehabilitating hospital wards, sanitation facilities, the laboratory and the waste-disposal center. Pregnant women receive prophylactic treatment to avoid contracting the disease which can cause spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and premature delivery. Free mosquito nets have also been distributed. MSF continues to help those suffering from sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis). MSF staff provide comprehensive care including diagnosis of the illness, treatment, epidemiological surveillance, training of national health staff and support for the national program to control the disease. The teams, working in Haut Mbomou in the eastern region of Mboki, also offer primary health care services. A team located in Bangui offers assistance during emergencies. In March 2004, MSF carried out a meningitis vaccination campaign in Batangafo and Boguila. MSF treated those infected with bloody diarrhea in Kaga Bandoro from August 2004 until the end of the year. MSF staff also conducted two measles vaccination campaigns in Bangui and Molangué during September 2004. MSF has worked in the Central African Republic since 1997. |
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