Health care services for nomadic people. Lessons learned from research and implementation activities in Chad

Wyss, K., M. Bechir, et al. (2004). "Health care services for nomadic people. Lessons learned from research and implementation activities in Chad." Quels types de services de santé; pour les populations nomades? Apprentissages des activité;s de recherche et d'action au Tchad 64(5): 493-496.  

Objective: To overcome barriers of access to health care of nomadic people and to alleviate inequities in health, a transdisciplinary team has initiated research and intervention activities among three nomadic groups of Chad: Foulbé;, Arabes and Gouranes.

Methods: A regular and consistent communication among all actors involved (nomadic groups, researchers, planners and administrators of health and veterinary services, etc.) through repetitive meetings and workshops showed to be a crucial element for success. Differences between ethnic nomadic groups made it necessary to develop specific communication strategies adapted to each group. As to interventions to improve the vaccination coverage, mixed teams combining health and veterinary specialists were able to vaccinate an important number of children and women and showed to have a high potential in terms of organisational and logistic feasibility, acceptability as well as good cost-effectiveness. With regard to improving access to health care, Information--Education and Communication approaches adapted to the intervention context and linked to the provision of essential services and generic drugs showed to be crucial