The Republic of Chad is Africa's fifth largest country, located in the north of central Africa, it is completely landlocked. The capital city is N'Djamena. Chad has a largely Saharan climate, however it is also home to the second largest wetland in Africa, Lake Chad after which the country is named and is rich in oil, gold and uranium.
Chad gained independence from French rule in 1960. Independence has bought many challenges but President Déby and his political party, The Patriotic Salvation Movement, have been in power since 1990.
Chad has a population of 11 million people made up of approximately 200 different people groups. While the official languages are French and Arabic, 120 different dialects are spoken throughout the country. Fifty four percent of the population profess to being Muslim and 34% Christian. Atheism and animism are in the minority, although syncretism is seen within both Islam and Christianity in Chad. Officially Chad is a secular country and there is religious freedom to practice, which is done so mainly in peace.
The health needs of the nation are extensive and the challenges Chad faces in improving these are vast. The life expectancy in Chad is 46 years (male) and 47 years (female). The infant mortality rate is 200: 1,0000 live births, that is compared to 6:1,000 live births in the UK.
I will be working with BMS in partnership with CEF, an American based charity, who have built a hospital on the outskirts of N'Djamena. The aim of the hospital is to provide quality, affordable care, as well as to act as a training centre for national doctors, nurses and midwives.
 |
| The hospital in the dry season! |
