We have strengthened the network of health services in the region by supporting existing health centres and also constructing two new ones – one a centre for nutritional therapy, the other a nutritional assistance centre within Hospital Divina Providência. We created an emergency transportation system for patients in the municipality’s six districts and improved the technical, management and disease-control skills of healthcare staff by training doctors and paramedics.

We have provided refresher courses in gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics, nutrition and biology/laboratory work, as well as training sessions on specific aspects of maternal and child medicine. They have included theory classes, practical experience and participation at international conferences. Two-year specialisation courses in paediatrics were organised for local doctors at the Brazilian Institute in Luanda and short courses for doctors and paramedics were held in Recife in Brazil.

We have also strengthened and expanded medical services for mothers and children, including paediatric and prenatal appointments, vaccinations, diagnostic work and efforts to raise awareness in families of prevention and nutrition. The Eni Foundation was also committed to improving the health of women and children in Luanda, as well as reducing the incidence of preventable diseases and diseases caused by malnutrition. Over the course of three years, the Foundation increased access to treatment services with a paediatrics assistance service covering all stages of pregnancy and childbirth, including post-partum.

In March 2012, we opened the first new health centre, complete with furniture and healthcare equipment, in a project managed directly by the Eni Foundation. In December of the same year, we handed over the second facility. We organised training and refresher courses and trained healthcare staff to integrate systems for data collection and analysis in the municipality. The Eni Foundation also organised a number of healthcare sessions to teach mothers how to have a safe and healthy pregnancy.

The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an action plan incorporating 17 goals aimed at addressing the social and economic development of communities and regions. With the Kilamba Kiaxi project, we are helping to ensure the health and wellbeing of the population (Goal 3).

Workplace safety is a fundamental principle that we share with employees, contract workers and local communities. For that reason, we implement all necessary measures to avoid accidents, including organisational models to assess and manage risk, training programmes, skills development and the promotion of a culture of safety. 

The two new centres provide healthcare and improve access to maternal and child services in densely populated areas. In addition, a nutritional therapy centre and nutritional assistance centre within Hospital Divina Providência provided nutritionist services to the entire municipality.

The Eni Foundation financed the project and was responsible for its management, working in partnership with: the Ghana Ministry of Health; the Ghana Health Service, a government-run agency that manages public healthcare facilities; the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), an NGO whose Saint Martin de Porres Hospital is a crucial referral centre; and the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, which provided technical support for training medical and nursing staff.