On March 3rd 2009 clinical activities started in the Pediatric Centre of Bangui, in the Central African Republic: the name of the first patient was Christofer, 3 and a half years old. A few days later, on March 6th, the official inauguration ceremony was celebrated, being present the local authorities.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is among the least developed countries in the world. It is ranked 171 out of 177 countries in the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI). Life expectancy at birth in CAR is 43.7 years. Access to basic healthcare services is minimal, and there is a true lack of skilled personnel to run the existing medical facilities in the country.

EMERGENCY started construction on the pediatric center in Bangui in March 2008 and it opened in March 2009. It is part of the EMERGENCY Regional Health Programme for Africa consisting of a network of centers providing pediatric healthcare in the region. The centers will also undertake cardiac screening and follow-up clinics for patients with acquired and congenital heart conditions. Patients screened at each center, and requiring cardiac treatment will be transferred completely free-of-charge to the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery in Khartoum, Sudan. The Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery is a state-of-the-art cardiac surgery facility that EMERGENCY constructed in Sudan and where clinical activities at the Salam Centre began in April 2007.

The center in Bangui is open 24 hours/day, and offers primary and emergency healthcare, free-of-charge to all children under the age of 14. EMERGENCY estimates that the new pediatric center will be able to examine and treat approximately 40 patients/day, approximately 1,000 patients/month. The center will host regular cardiac screening clinics for children and adults.  Additionally it is envisaged that the center will be able to admit approximately 100 patients/month. The center started activities in March 2009.

The main goal of the EMERGENCY Regional Health Programme for Africa is to build high quality infrastructure, as well as to provide on-the-job training to locally recruited staff at the Salam Centre, and each subsequent pediatric center that becomes part of the network. The center in Bangui will also provide on-the-job-training by a team of expatriate staff whose mandate it will be to transfer professional knowledge and skills to the local staff. The ultimate aim of the program is to enable the national staff to function autonomously to the highest of standards.

EMERGENCY estimates that the average annual running costs of the Paediatric Centre in Bangui will be approximately $700,000.

BANGUI' PAEDIATRIC CENTRE KEY FACTS

Opening: March 2009

Outpatient Consultations: 2,233

Admissions: 119

Activities: Pediatric Health Care

Capacity: 6 beds

National staff: 40

Facilities: 2 consultation rooms, cardiology consultation room, 6-bed ward, ultrasound and x-ray, laboratory, pharmacy, offices and store, waiting area.