Health Fairs help Albanian communities take control of their own health

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Health Fairs held across most of Albania's cities this week aimed to raise awareness around hygiene, breast and cervical cancer, pre-natal care, substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, nutrition and handwashing in an attempt to better equip people to take care of their own health- particularly that of children. Peace Corps, in collaboration with the US Embassy, Ministry of Health, local government, Public Health Directories, World Vision and other NGOs organised a Health Fair in Koplik, an urban area of Shkodra district; a two-hour drive from the Albanian capital Tirana. US Ambassador to Albania, Alexander Arvizu and Minister of Health Petrit Vasili both shared awareness-raising messages for children, parents, teachers, local and central government and other participants. 'Albania has made good improvements in different health issues. However this is something that starts with the education of its citizens which should care more for their health. The communication of health information is crucial on raising awareness. Schools remain a good place to share this information,' said Mr. Arvizu. 'This the first time that activities like this are organised in our city and we have access to health information that covers so many health issues,' says 62-year-old Vita Kosovo from Durres. 'This is a great opportunity not only for our generation who has suffered from the lack of information for decades, but even for the young generation who needs to be more educated and sensitive to their personal health', she added while taking leaflets to give to her 15-year-old niece. According to the Albania 2008-'09 Demographic and Health Survey, shows 22 out of 1,000 children die before their fifth birthday, only 39% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed, 17% of children under five are anemic, only 29% of the Albanian population has comprehensive knowledge about AIDS, 18% of households do not have access to safe drinking water, etc. During a visit to World Vision's office in Shkodra following the Health Fair, the US Ambassador commented, "This is a great campaign you are doing and thank you to World Vision for supporting this initiative and Peace Corps'. The Minister of Health also highlighted World Vision's work in the field level and how empowering communities is the best way to promote public health. "We greatly appreciate the community-based work that World Vision does in the primary health field," said Mr. Vasili. 'If we do not have an empowered public health we can't have a sustainable health system and World Vision with its activities in the community level directly contributes to the largest goals of Albanian health. World Vision's health projects aim to enable children, women and communities, especially from the most vulnerable groups, to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. World Vision works toward this goal by encouraging and supporting women and children to be active participants in taking hold of their own health status. The health sector focuses on these main areas of intervention: personal health, health promotion, health advocacy, health system strengthening and environment by putting special focus on mothers and children. Health fairs organised in World Vision's Area Development Programmes (ADPs) in Elbasan, Dibra, Durres and Kurbin are all important components of its larger health programme that seeks to ensure all children enjoy good health. -Ends-