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News/Event Item
IMA Awarded $40 Million for Health Care Project in DR Congo
Oct. 16, 2006
An estimated eight million adults and children in the Democratic of Congo (DRC) will have access to improved health care through Project AXxes, a three-year, $40 million program designed to deliver basic health care services and rebuild the health system. Interchurch Medical Assistance, Inc. (IMA) has been named as the lead agency for the project, which will be managed in collaboration with the DRC Ministry of Health and implemented through four Project AXxes partners including the Protestant Church of Congo (ECC) and international agencies World Vision International, Catholic Relief Services and Merlin. Project AXxes, made possible by the generous support of the American people, is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
"IMA is extremely pleased to be able to extend the work that was begun six years ago through the SANRU III rural health project, also implemented in partnership with the Protestant Church of Congo," stated Paul Derstine, IMA President.
Project AXxes will work in 60 health zones in Eastern and Southern DRC, including regions caught up in what has been called the world's deadliest war. Since 1998 an estimated four million persons have died, either as a direct result of fighting or because of disease and malnutrition. Even now as the country is moving to a democratically elected government, life expectancy for men and women is only 46 and 51 years, respectively.
Project AXxes will work to increase access to basic health care services, including immunizations, maternal and newborn care, nutrition, malaria, TB, and management of childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and acute respiratory infection. The project will also help rebuild the health system by addressing the lack of trained service providers, inadequate medical equipment and supplies, and lack of organizational capacity.
IMA provides technical and material assistance for overseas health programs of partner churches, faith-based development and relief organizations, and public and private agencies with similar goals. As a Member association of 12 Protestant relief and development agencies, I.M.A. works through a worldwide network of faith communities affiliated with its Member agencies.
For More Information
http://www.interchurch.org/
category: Member Organization News : Announcements
contributed by Glen Brubaker on 25 October 2006
Africa : DR Congo
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