The country
Côte d’Ivoire is a West African country characterized by great geographical and cultural diversity. Its coast extends along the Atlantic Ocean, offering varied landscapes, while the interior is dominated by plains and plateaus. This environmental variety is home to a rich biodiversity. Economically, the country has experienced periods of strong growth thanks to the export of cocoa, but has also faced several crises that have slowed its development. Despite efforts to diversify the economy, agriculture remains a key sector.
In 2023, the population of Côte d’Ivoire was approximately 31,165,654, with a population growth of 2.5%. The population distribution is predominantly rural, with 76% of the population living in rural areas. Life expectancy at birth is approximately 61 years for men and 66 years for women.
Politically, Côte d’Ivoire has gone through a turbulent period, marked by conflict and instability. In recent years, the country has sought to strengthen the rule of law and promote national reconciliation. However, many challenges remain, including the fight against corruption and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
Côte d’Ivoire’s health situation presents significant challenges. Infectious diseases are endemic and access to health services, especially in rural areas, is limited. Despite government efforts, further investment is needed to improve the health situation and achieve the sustainable development goals.
In 2022, the neonatal mortality rate in Côte d’Ivoire was approximately 28 deaths per 1,000 live births. This data highlights the urgent need to improve neonatal care in the country, where access to quality health services is limited and resources are scarce. The Chiesi Foundation, through the NEST (Neonatal Essential Survival Technology) project, is working to address these challenges and improve neonatal survival in Côte d’Ivoire.
Côte d’Ivoire is a developing country that, despite having potential, faces several challenges to ensure a better future for its people.
(Source: data.who.int)
Ivory Coast in numbers
Ivory Coast in numbers
Our intervention
The Chiesi Foundation has signed an agreement with Doctors with Africa CUAMM to guarantee quality neonatal care in Ivory Coast, to contribute to reducing neonatal mortality and improving the local health system, in line with goal no. 3 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
The project is part of a critical context: 1.6 million newborns die during the first month of life, half of them during the first day. In particular, premature birth is responsible for 31.6% of neonatal mortality cases, making it one of the main causes of this phenomenon in the country. The initiative supports the national and subnational authorities of Côte d’Ivoire in achieving sustainable development goals, in particular the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality.
The local partners with which Chiesi Foundation and CUAMM – Doctors with Africa collaborate are the Formation Sanitaire à Base Communautaire of Anonkoua-Kouté (FSU-COM) , the Hôpital Général Privé Confessionnel Saints Coeurs de Clouetcha (HGPC) , the Center Hospitalier Régional d’Abobo (CHR) and the Program National de Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (PNSME) of the Ministry of Health.
Chiesi Foundation contributes to the theoretical and practical training of maternity and neonatology workers, focusing on essential care and neonatal resuscitation techniques. The training modules have been developed in collaboration with the Program National de Santé de la Mère et de l’Enfant (PNSME) and include simulations and practical exercises. The Foundation provides essential technical-medical equipment such as self-inflation balloons, laryngeal masks, mucus aspirators, laryngoscopes, neonatal pediatric probes, phototherapy devices, neonatal pulse oximeters, neonatal heating mattresses and teaching manikins.
The Chiesi Foundation has ensured the supervision of the project through the involvement of the Ministry of Health, ensuring that the training modules are compliant with national guidelines and that the District Health Directors of the reference facilities are actively involved.
The activity plan included a series of preparatory meetings with representatives of the PNSME and the Health Directors of the identified facilities in March 2024, an assessment mission to identify the needs of medical and health personnel and health facilities between May and June, the implementation of the training course for medical and health personnel in September and the delivery of the equipment to the identified health facilities by the end of the year.
Our main activities in Ivory Coast
Participation and supervision of the Ministry of Health through the National Programme for Mother and Child Health
Theoretical and practical training for maternity and neonatology operators
Supply of technical-health equipment to partner facilities
