The North African Community Health Initiative provides community health care professionals from Morocco and Egypt a new set of tools, resources, and knowledge to enhance rural health care in their respective communities.  Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, this program builds the capacity of professionals who serve marginalized populations, particularly women and children.

Villagers at a rural health unit in Upper Egypt.

This initiative has multiple phases, spanning two years and including two inbound U.S. programs, two outbound North African trips, and local projects in North Africa. Activities introduce the North African professionals to public health strategies and media education campaigns for educating women and children in such topics as reproductive health, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation.

Who’s Involved

Participants from Morocco, Egypt and the U.S. are community leaders and professionals positioned to effect positive change in the health of their communities, including doctors, nurses, public health officials, medics, and midwives, as well as health-focused community leaders, educators, and NGO personnel.

• Two groups of participants from Morocco and Egypt traveled to the U.S. in 2011 for the initial phase of the program. See profiles of Participants from Morocco and Egypt and descriptions of their Follow-On Projects
• U.S. professionals within the health care sector travel to Morocco and Egypt for observation and consultation.

Enjoy the Slideshow! –  NACHI Participants from Morocco and Egypt in the U.S.

Lasting Impact through Local Projects

This initiative is designed to have an expansive outreach and lasting impact in rural communities in Morocco and Egypt.

• Upon return to their homes, the fellows share and implement new ideas with their colleagues, positively impacting the capacity of many additional community health care providers, leaders and organizers.
• Fellows also implement sustainable health programs at the community level.  Legacy offered mini-grants to support the design and implementation of these local projects.
• U.S. professionals have offered multiple trainings, consultations, and public information sessions during their trip to Morocco and Egypt.
• A 30-minute educational video has been created and disseminated on national television (and web broadcasting) in North Africa. (see below in English, and Arabic version at bottom of page)

Partners: As program provider, Legacy has convened exemplary organizations to collaborate on this initiative:

• AMIDEAST
• Carilion Clinic (Virginia)
• Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI, Netherlands)
• Tayie Rahem, director of an online “television” station, Soul TV.

Arabic Version of Living the Oath video: