Improving Access to Quality Care in Rural Areas

Access to health care is essential to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty. When health resources are inadequate, or inaccessible routine medical needs can become serious especially for pregnant woman and young children in Senegal which has the 47th highest infant mortality rate and the 35th highest maternal mortality rate in the world. Many rural villages in Senegal are located great distances from existing healthcare infrastructure, requiring residents to walk, or take a horse cart several miles before they reach a paved road where they can find transport to regional hospitals.  This is an immense obstacle to accessing healthcare leading many people to delay needed care or manage heath needs at home without qualified assistance or proper resources.

For over a decade Andando has worked with midwives, community leaders, and the Senegalese Health Ministry to identify underserved rural areas where new health facilities are needed for communities to access quality care with dignity.  Our health centers have clean running water, electricity, private rooms for consultation, delivery and recovery, indoor showers and toilets, and are staffed by qualified midwives and nurses. Once completed each post is fully integrated into the regional government health system with no further financial support needed from Andando. We continue to monitor and assist all of our posts though by advocating for their needs, and helping them to overcome any obstacles that may arise, so that they can continue to provide quality care to all those who need it.  

These vital community health centers perform a variety of essential services including giving vaccinations, screening babies and children for malnutrition, treating minor illness and injuries, providing family planning resources and consultations, and helping women to deliver in a sanitary and safe environment. Andando receives monthly data from all of our health detailing the tens of thousands of crucial healthcare interventions that they have been able to provide and the increasingly positive outcomes they are seeing as a result. 

The emotional, physical, and financial strain that comes from inadequate health care is a major factor in perpetuating cycles of poverty.  Easing this burden saves lives and opens up countless possibilities for rural families.  Andando is continuing to push our programs into even more remote and underserved areas where the potential positive impact is truly transformational.  Check out the most recent news about our rural health program here!