Health Care
Many children and adults in Kapasseni have suffered from treatable and preventable ailments, such as ear and eye infections and diarrhea. Other serious illnesses included bilharzia, malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, cataracts, infection during childbirth and malnutrition in young children. HIV/AIDS infection rates are low, but the people remain vulnerable. We are addressing Kapasseni’s health care needs with a village health centre, programs for eye care and for HIV/AIDS education, and through assistance to Perpetua’s Kuwangisana home based care program (based in Sena but also serving many villages including Kapasseni).Kapasseni Health Centre
In 2002, we funded construction and staffing of Kapasseni’s four room health centre, where a nurse , first
aid attendant, and two traditional midwives provide pre-natal, maternal
and child care, as well as first aid and treatment of diseases. The health
centre serves about 9,000 people in the area around Kapasseni,
and is under the supervision of the Mozambican Health Ministry.
 Traditional midwives Sara Mairosse and Augustina Charles, with first aid attendant Victorino Luis Fole and Luis Pfundira |
 Two Kapasseni mothers and their children at the health centre |
Kwangisana Home Based Care Program
Perpetua’s Kuwangisana program helps to improve
the lives of people with HIV/AIDS, their vulnerable children, orphans
and grandparents caring for them. Patients are often outcasts because
of traditional beliefs that those stricken with HIV/AIDS have been cursed.
The Kuwangisana workers help patients and their families understand the
disease and how to deal with it, by providing simple medications, food,
follow-up and much-needed love and friendship. In partnership with the
| Kuwangisana program nurse Amelia and her colleague helped this young mother and baby who have HIV. The baby had a terrible rash and sores all over its body. Both were much better after receiving food and medication. |
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