Health Care for All in Caué

The last day of October was a day filled with hope for a third of the population of the most isolated district of the island of Sao Tome, Caue. Out of the 3 administrative health areas of the district, only the population of the region of Ribeira Peixe didn’t have access to permanent health services, having to travel for long distances or wait several days for treatment. Through the contribution of the AWARE project (http://www.aware-rh.org/) in Sao Tome and Principe, funded by USAID and implemented by ADRA, it was possible to inaugurate the Health Post of Ribeira Peixe.
The opening of the Health Post was anticipated with excitement by the population, health authorities and the central government, all of whom were represented at the ceremony at the highest levels.
The district health delegate’s excitement for the quality of work accomplished was visible in his words, “… I hope that in the near future, the central hospital in Angolares will shine as brightly as this health center. Entering the facility, one would think that he is in a first world country …”
The donor was represented by a local US Embassy representative, the USAID West Africa regional office, and a regional AWARE representative. Dr. Fatimata Diabate, representing the AWARE/USAID delegation, manifested her satisfaction for the outcomes achieved by the project in Sao Tome and Principe and the excellent collaboration between the project and the national and district health authorities.
After thanking USAID, AWARE and ADRA, the minister of Health, Dr. Arlindo Carvalho, closed the ceremony by appealing to the good relations and strong collaboration between the health personnel and the community.
This ADRA project’s ongoing activities include renovating 1 Hospital, 2 Health Centers, and 8 Community Health Posts; training and equipment will be provided to health personnel and communities in a combined strategy to increase the access and quality of Health services in Caue and the Island of Principe.