AID grant no. AOT-0003-G-00-2077-00 to the International Medical Corps in supporting humanitarian and emergency assistance

The project will have as a longer term goal the creation of a model for redevelopment of a national rural health care structure following the expected cessation of hostilities between UNITA and PRA; important considerations will include assisting in demobilization of ex-combatants and integration of the health care systems of the warring sides. The main components will be health worker training and development of an Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI); other activities will include development of community health fora and assessment of national-level health structures. Health worker training will be a priority. IMC will upgrade its Village Health Worker (VHW) training programs in the provincial capitals of Luena and Menognue to provide both classroom and practical training to 200 VHWs (at least 50 of whom will be demobilizing soldiers), VHW-trainers, and provincial administrators so that they can provide basic health services, function semi-autonomously in the isolated conditions in rural Angola, and utilize medicines and supplies provided by the government and UNICEF. A key effort will be to provide joint training to health personnel of PRA and UNITA. IMC will also develop an EPI program at the two provincial capitals. Again, training will be a priority, and an attempt will be made to integrate PRA and UNITA training; a total of 96 vaccinators, trainers, cold chain managers, and administrators will be trained. Regional storage facilities and a cold chain will be established. Initial targets are to vaccinate 50,000 children against measles, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, tuberculosis, and tetanus, and 40,000 women of childbearing age against tetanus; vitamin A supplements will also be administered. If possible, a second wave of vaccinations will double these totals. Other activities will address the need for active community support and planning for the development of a national rural health framework. Community fora will be developed to elicit involvement by local communities in the conduct of public health programs; the fora will be integrated within the traditional village meeting system. Finally, IMC will undertake an assessment of the national health structure about 8 weeks after the elections scheduled for Fall 1992, and develop proposals to expand its model program to a national system.