A Healthy Baby Born During SBCF's 2007 Visit to Chad

Chagoua and Farcha Hospitals
Our efforts in Chad are concentrated on the maternity units of the two district hospitals in the capital, N'djamena - Chagoua and Farcha. SBCF has helped increase their access to clean water and reliable electricity, provide training for their midwives, improve hygeine standards and organise a reliable source of basic medical supplies. Chagoua hospital has a new water tank, while Farcha hospital, thanks to a borehole, solar pump and water tower, paid for by the Nurses Association of Jamaica, now has reliable water day and night for the first time. We have also helped set in place systems for recording and maintaining hygeine standards and supplies of drugs and equipment in the hospitals.

Training Visits
We have made three training visits to Chagoua and Farcha hospitals - in March 2007, October 2007 and our most recent in January 2009. Each visit prepares for the next, as we learn more and build mutual confidence. We have shown how magnesium sulphate can treat eclampsia, a common cause of death. This is now being used effectively and being given without charge. We have also given hands-on training in midwifery and basic hygiene. Training is the most effective way to help, working with our local contacts to ensure that what we offer is relevent, appropriate for the real situation in Chad, and can be taught to others.

Drugs and Equipment
Where we feel confident of good management, and where we are sure that drugs are being given without charge, we endeavour to supply some life-saving basic drugs, consumables, and equipment.