This Eni Foundation project began with work to improve the Palma District central health unit. To respond to emergencies involving women in labour, we built an operating theatre at the health centre equipped with X-ray, scanning and laboratory facilities to boost the centre’s diagnostic capacities, and a maternity unit to care for pregnant women from the most remote parts of the district. We also gave the healthcare staff an off-road vehicle so they could run mobile clinics and monitor the more remote health centres. In addition to improving infrastructure, we also organised a range of training activities. During 2014, we ran a number of training courses for the medical, nursing, technical and administrative staff of the entire district. Another component of the project was a drama production entitled “The Theatre is Good For You” – an alternative approach to teaching good practice in the areas of hygiene, healthcare and diet. This was produced and coordinated with the assistance of Jacopo Fo and Bruno Patierno.
Finally, we have launched a project that supports the national cervical cancer screening programme and offers access to effective treatment for precancerous or neoplastic tumours for women in 21 healthcare centres located in the city of Maputo and its province. Around 630,000 women between the ages of 25 and 50 living in these areas are expected to be screened for abnormal cells at an early stage. The initiative provides for:
the supply of equipment and facilities to ensure the screening programme can be carried out in 21 healthcare centres and two level II hospital centres
the training of around 100 healthcare workers, such as doctors and obstetric and nursing staff, working in maternal and paediatric care at the healthcare centres in the city and province of Maputo.
