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Chad: the involvement of a village chief to restore access to healthcare
In eastern Chad, in Koufroun, the involvement of a village chief, combined with the rapid intervention of Première Urgence Internationale, has enabled thousands of inhabitants to regain access to healthcare.
An illustration of an exemplary partnership between the local community, the authorities and humanitarian actors.
Publié le 20/05/2025 | Temps de lecture : 2 min
A daily life at risk
Until recently, the village of Koufroun, located close to the Sudanese border, had no health infrastructure. In the event of illness, residents had to travel long distances to Adré or, for some, cross the Sudanese border. Illnesses such as malaria, infections, injuries and obstetric complications were frequent, while means of treatment were lacking.
Matar Ali Mahamat, village chief and father of six, recalls the case of his wife, who had to wait several days before being able to benefit from a Caesarean section, due to the lack of local care.
Heavy pressure on the health sector
With the massive influx of refugees from Tandaltji and surrounding Sudanese villages, health needs have increased considerably. Faced with this reality, Matar Ali Mahamat, in coordination with local authorities, facilitated the installation of Première Urgence Internationale teams in the village. His intervention facilitated the rapid implementation of health and nutrition activities.
The impact of effective collaboration
The Première Urgence Internationale teams set up a fixed clinic in Koufroun, which today offers local and displaced populations :
- free medical consultations,
- nutritional support for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers,
- psycho-stimulation activities for malnourished children,
- sexual and reproductive health care,
- supervised deliveries in safe conditions,
- distribution of appropriate delivery kits,
- group discussion sessions for psychosocial support.
Community awareness campaigns were also conducted, focusing on hygiene practices, malnutrition prevention and maternal health.
Among the many cases treated, the case of a teenage girl who fell into a coma was particularly noteworthy. Alerted in time, Première Urgence Internationale teams organized her emergency transfer to Adré hospital. Thanks to rapid, free treatment, the young girl made a full recovery.
With the commitment of local leaders such as Matar Ali Mahamat, access to healthcare is becoming a reality for the most vulnerable populations. Première Urgence Internationale’s fixed clinic is now recognized as a permanent health center by the health authorities.
These activities are made possible thanks to the support of the Crisis and Support Centre of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
