COMMUNITY HERBAL CARE: One Working Year After

The first year of the project “Community Herbal Care: an outpatients’ clinic with galenical laboratory for children skin health” is closing: every activity foreseen in the year 2008-2009 has been successfully accomplished. Beyond the results in terms of diseases treated and medical visits delivered, the construction of the galenical lab for herbal medicines production has been realized. Herbal remedies created for the treatment of dermatological diseases prevailing in the area have been scientifically proved, demonstrating an high percentage of efficacy. Furthermore the harvesting and drying process of the officinal plants cultivated in the nursery , just near the lab, is ongoing.

The project is part of a wider health programme aimed at extending the right of access to medical care and assistance to children living in the remote areas of Ethiopian highlands. In the last 12 months the health service has been delivered to over 2000 patients in 2 district of the area: Gorobela and Aliu Amba. Moreover 36 community health workers, located all over the region have been trained. The main goal for 2010 will be to extend the mobile clinic service to the neighboring villages, covering an area of 4 districts and delivering health care to 5000 children aged between 5 and 14 years old living in the area.