Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world, with half of its population living below the absolute poverty line. The rural populations are the most vulnerable, relying on low-productivity subsistence agriculture and facing difficulties in accessing primary health services. These difficulties are attributed to factors such as geographical extension, resulting in distance from Health Centres, scarce economic resources, and a quantitative and qualitative shortage of local health personnel. Among the social health problems most affecting these areas are malnutrition, primarily affecting children and women; HIV infection, which remains one of the main causes of death due to challenges in accessing diagnosis and adhering to antiretroviral treatment; tuberculosis, especially prevalent in the child population, and TB/HIV co-infection.

Another critical health issue affecting the population is the infant and neonatal mortality rate, which ranks among the highest in the world. Respiratory infections, malaria, prematurity, and perinatal problems account for more than 50% of these deaths. The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of drinking water, with over 52% of the population lacking access to safe water sources, relying on brackish and/or rainwater sources.

Medicus Mundi Italy operates in Mozambique with projects aimed at strengthening the local health system, ensuring basic health services for the most vulnerable communities, and extending services to the remote rural areas, far from health centres, through Brigadas Móveis (mobile health teams) and the organization of training and awareness-raising activities to support national programs.

• • Support for the implementation of Brigada Móveis (mobile health teams), which reach the most remote rural areas, providing basic healthcare services.
  • Organization of awareness sessions (workshops) for health and hygiene promotion.
  • Cross-cutting activities such as training and supervision of healthcare workers and community activists, activation of Primary Healthcare Services by key community figures, and support for the creation of a new Community-Based Organization.
  • Training of students from the health-related faculties at the State University of Mozambique (UNISAVE), in collaboration with the University of Brescia, to strengthen the link between communities, universities, and healthcare services (Community Health).
  • Research activities on vertical HIV transmission and the effectiveness of treatment for patients followed by mobile clinics.
  • Introduction of electronic geolocation systems and conducting a qualitative survey aimed at analyzing the main challenges to accessing healthcare services.
  • Establishment of a small analysis laboratory for study and research purposes.