Health huts save lives

Mothers holding up their mobile phones as part of a pioneering project to spread healthcare text messages across Senegal

June 2011: Hundreds of Plan-supported health huts across rural Senegal are having a dramatic impact on the lives of more than 1,000,000 people – fighting diseases and boosting child nutrition and health.

By providing essential services, the huts have helped cut rates of diarrhoea in children aged under 5  from 33% to almost 1%. They have also ensured that over 90% of children are now receiving immunisation, compared to only 53% 5 years ago.

Vital support

The 331 health huts were set up to supply basic health services to rural populations far from hospitals and larger clinics - offering maternal and antenatal services, malaria treatment, nutritional support and immunisation.

Plan teams in Senegal provided expertise and support to health workers, and have pioneered the innovative use of mobile phones to send text messages about proper healthcare and immunisations to mothers and families.

Tremendous impact

“Community based healthcare is essential in improving the lives of millions across the developing world,” said Mie Takaki, Plan’s country director in Senegal. 

“This programme takes it beyond the talk. It defines the role that the health huts play in the health management of millions of people, putting human resources and focus where they are needed. Both communities and the existing health system are more accountable and can impact tremendously on children’s lives.”

Reaching the vulnerable

The 5-year programme is funded by USAID and implemented by a consortium of non-governmental organisations, including Plan. The programme was designed to strengthen the Senegalese health system and to reach the most vulnerable.

As a partner of the African Child Policy Forum, Plan supports the findings of the recently released Budgeting for Children in Africa: Rhetoric Reality and the Scorecard* which urges African governments to budget more resources for children at a national level to improve their future outlook.  Senegal ranks 5th overall in commitment to children through budgeting, with 12% of the total dedicated to health.

Learn more about Plan’s work in Senegal

Read about Plan’s global health work

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