Strengthening Health System Response Capacity of the Kédougou Medical Authorities, Senegal

Located at the border of Mali and Guinea, the Senegalese Region of Kédougou (population 133,457 in 2012) is a destination for many migrants from all over West Africa, who are attracted by the traditional gold mining sector and other related activities, including sex work. This influx of migrants overwhelms an already weak health system, which makes the region particularly vulnerable to various communicable diseases including HIV, cholera, yellow fever and tuberculosis.

The project will support the Ministry of Health and Social Action to strengthen the health system and promote the health of local and migrant populations in Kédougou.
The project will have the following outcomes:
- The medical authorities of Kédougou will integrate the recommendations emerging from the sex workers survey in their regional three-year plan;
- Community surveillance and response capacity of the Senegalese Red Cross in the Health District Kédougou will be strengthened.

The project will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Social Action, represented by the regional medical authorities, and the Senegalese Red Cross. The partnership with the Red Cross will ensure the sustainability of the community surveillance and response system, and will facilitate the extension of the community component of this project.