Fogo a Sorrir
- Behavioral issues
- Community development
- Child care
- Health care
- Health education
- Infant health
- Volunteerism
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Mundo a Sorrir
931653608
Rua Círiaco Cardoso 265-C
, PO
, XX
More than 5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
Operating for 1‐5 years
The health infrastructure of the Health System in Cape Verde corresponds, in general, to the needs of local populations and includes two central hospitals and 3 regional hospitals. By the end of 2011, another two units will be completed and similar facilities are being planned in Mosteiros (Fire) and May (completed in 2011). The health sector has about 300 doctors and 420 nurses, which corresponds to one doctor for 2,203 inhabitants and one nurse per 1,033 inhabitants. All the islands have at least two physicians (data 2006). The major endemic diseases are common in a country of dry tropical climate: acute respiratory infections, the highest incidence from February to May due to the winds that blow during this period, diarrhea, mainly derived from the consumption of unwashed food or water; common child pathologies include tuberculosis, malaria, once considered eradicated, comes in less than a hundred cases a year, imported by a strong migration coming from the West African countries, but the proactive approach of the General Director of Health, tracking the disease to the arrival of flights from the African continent, has allowed the rapid identification of individuals with the disease, thus preventing their spread.
The World a Smile - Portuguese Dentists in Solidarity Association (MAS) was established in July 2005 with the aim of bringing together the largest possible number of dentists who voluntarily adhere to a social projects in the area of Oral Health. Its main objective is to promote health and wellbeing of disadvantaged communities. In 2006 it was awarded the status of an NGO (Non Governmental Organization for Development). Since 2005, MAS has provided assistance at the St. Francesco Hospital on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, with the ultimate aim of reducing the dental needs of this population so in need.
Testimony of a volunteer from September 2010: "Much could be written about my visit to Cape Verde. Although a strong professional content is undeniable, the emotional experience that accompanied my daily work is what made this trip a milestone in my career professionally and personally. The call to people of the island and its most pressing needs greatly appreciated the scope of this trip to Africa, and stressed the urgency in solving some problems that remain, despite our efforts, lingering after our return home. It is therefore important to reflect on what value has been generated through our action, while not forgetting what remains to be done. "
Since 2005, the World Smile organization sends volunteer dentists for this project, and the excellent working conditions in S. Francisco hospital allow you to perform all kinds of dental treatments and several dentists and dental hygienists have participated in the project more than once. .A partnership with the hospital has been maintained over the past six years and is updated each year. The success of this project is measured by the number of patients and treatments, patient satisfaction (return to the hospital for consultations to continue treatment) and satisfaction of dentists and dental hygienists who volunteer, repeating the experience of volunteering annually.
1,001- 10,000
More than 10,000
Major milestones of growth involve sending four hygienists and dentist every month, where they will treat about 1200 patients and conduct health promotion in schools.
Dental appointments and treatments in the S. Francisco hospital.
Health promotion in schools through classroom teaching
Topical applications of fluoride and fissure sealants in children on the island and implementation of daily tooth brushing in schools.
The projected impacts are consultations for the treatment and prevention in 2000 patients, conducting daily health promotion in schools and implementation of this daily tooth brushing regimen.
Dental appointments and treatments in the S. Francisco hospital.
Health promotion in schools through classroom teaching
Topical applications of fluoride and fissure sealants in children on the island and implementation of daily tooth brushing in schools.
The rise of new challenges will also increase the population benefited from our health care, both treatment and prevention. The result is a better estimate of oral health in this target population as well as a new motivation for learning to care for the future.
The major barriers at this project are actually the lack of volunteers. With the growth of the project there is also the rise of new challenges and we intend to overcome these obstacles by providing financing.
As an example, at this point in the course of the project we have the support of a private clinic that paid for trips every month for a year for nine dentists and 4 dental hygienists, where they will be volunteering for a month, happening with the project throughout the year
We have the support of foundations in Africa and Portugal and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Fundraising and other campaigns.
We plan to strengthen our project through partnerships with local councils and by increasing Marketing and Fundraising campaigns.
Please select up to three in order of relevancy to your project.
PRIMARY
Limited human capital (trained physicians, nurses, etc.)
Health behavior change
Lack of access to targeted health information and education
Regarding the existence of scarce human capital in terms of dentists and dental hygienists in Cape Verde, we address the barriers discussed in the sense that we send volunteers throughout the year, trying to reach the largest number of patients. As for the change in health behaviors, we try to take action to promote health and prevent oral diseases in schools, working with the youngest population in order to provide health education and complement lack of access to this important knowledge.
Please select up to three potential pathways in order of relevancy to you.
PRIMARY
Enhanced existing impact through addition of complementary services
Influenced other organizations and institutions through the spread of best practices
The growth activities for our project are based on agreements with local associations and institutions.
NGOs/Nonprofits, For profit companies, Academia/universities.
These collaborations and partnerships have helped in the development of our projects both in terms of human and material resources (more specifically with the collaboration of private companies), as in the replication of our project methodology to enhance our actions through support from other NGOs.