Emergency Response Transforms Health Access

In Mauritania’s remote southeastern region, over 60,000 Malian refugees in Mberra camp faced life-threatening delays during medical emergencies. Before this year, urgent cases often had to travel over 60 kilometers to Bassiknou hospital using motorcycles or donkey carts, a journey fraught with risk, especially for pregnant women and critically ill patients.

A Lifeline Arrives

Early this year, Mauritania’s Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partner organizations, deployed a fully equipped ambulance to the Mberra camp. Staffed by trained personnel, the ambulance provides timely emergency referrals for obstetric emergencies, trauma cases, and other critical conditions.

Impact on Refugees and Health Workers

Mariata, a 32-year-old mother of three, recalls a previous high-risk pregnancy that would have been perilous without the ambulance: “Before, we feared the worst. Now we feel safe.” Frontline health workers, like Ibrahim, a camp nurse, report that the ambulance has dramatically improved their ability to respond: “We felt powerless during emergencies. Now, we can act quickly and decisively. Patients are reaching care in time, and outcomes are improving.”

Broader Health System Support

The ambulance initiative complements WHO efforts to strengthen health services in the camp, including staff capacity-building, supply chain improvements, and enhanced disease surveillance. The program exemplifies how partnerships can save lives and reinforce community trust in fragile humanitarian settings.

Fun Fact

Trivia Cue: The journey from Mberra camp to the nearest hospital in Bassiknou spans over 60 kilometers, highlighting the critical need for emergency medical transport in remote refugee settings.

Source: Apo Group - Africa Newsroom