HEALTH CARE AND NUTRITION IN MAHAMA REFUGEE CAMP
History
When Mahama Camp opened in April 2015,AMercan Refugee Committee were the first partners to provide a range of primary health services. These services included In-Patient care, Outpatient care, and Maternity services. Over time, the camp expanded, and additional services like HIV programs, Maternal Child Health, Antenatal Care, Vaccination, Mental health support, and Nutrition management for acute malnutrition were introduced to meet the growing needs of the camp population.
Save the Children joined the efforts in August 2015 and established a second healthcare facility in Mahama II to deliver essential primary healthcare services. In December 2015, the health post was transformed into a health center by Save the Children, expanding its capacity to meet the healthcare needs of over 25,000 refugees residing in that area of the camp. UNFPA has also contributed by providing much-needed equipment to enhance health services.
Innovation of Infratructures and services
Recently, Save the Children newly expanded its sevices by introducing Emergency Cesarean Services. The center offers comprehensive
obstetrical and newborn care services, including cesarean sections, blood transfusions, maternal child
health services, outpatient and inpatient consultations, laboratory services, and nutrition outreach.
The cesarean operations were conducted to address obstetric complications, and we are pleased to report
that all mothers and their babies are in good health.
Additionally, the renovated laboratories at Mahama refugee camp play a vital role in meeting the
government's requirements for screening and vaccinating Burundian immigrants against Yellow Fever.
They also support the Ministry of Health's immunization program by ensuring proper storage and
administration of vaccines.
Both health centers, namely Mahama 1 Health Center and Mahama 2 Health Center, serve the two sections
of the camp. These centers have undergone renovations, including the refurbishment of medical isolation
facilities and laboratories, tiling, painting, window replacement, and procurement of new laboratory
furniture and equipment.
First aid
The ICRC is fully dedicated to delivering healthcare programs that are of the highest quality and accountability, adhering to professional standards. We frequently collaborate with other organizations, bringing together experts from various fields, and one such collaboration is the Health Care in Danger project. This initiative aims to safeguard access to healthcare by preventing attacks or hindrances.
NUTRITION
According to WFP, Nutrition services include routine screening and management of malnutrition through
supplementary feeding programs for children under five years, pregnant and lactating mothers,
and those living with HIV, are delivered by UNHCR and health partners.
In the Mahama refugee camp, 120 community health volunteers conduct community outreach
programs to promote positive health behaviors, promote healthy nutrition and assist case
referrals to health facilities. Community health volunteers are also trained to treat common
childhood illnesses in the community.
There are other organizations including RED CROSS-Rwanda, PLAN INTERNATIONAL, and NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION
COUNCIL(NEC) project
all of these organizations tried their best to cope with and address malnutrition for the sake of
Burundian and other refugees settling in the Mahama Refugee camp
Red Cross Rwanda addresses this issue of malnutrition by cultivating diverse green vegetables and
beetroots for the beneficiaries and at the health care center
