The Saint Camille Commitment

Commitment to Action

The Saint Camille Commitment

Commitment by

Fondazione Saint Camille De Lellis

Fondazione Saint Camille de Lellis will address the neglected mental health crisis in West Africa by providing rehabilitation programs for men, women and children marginalized from society. These facilities will provide shelter and treatment to patients as well as offer professional training and social re-integration skills designed to improve the lives of disadvantaged people in the region.

A Year in Review: 11 Inspiring Moments from 2016

Dec 22, 2016

Since 2001, the Clinton Foundation has worked to improve lives around the world and build upon President Clinton’s legacy of public service.

This week: The Foundation’s Programs at Work

Oct 28, 2016

Here are the latest updates of some of the Foundation’s programs at work:

Tabs

Overview

Summary

Commitment

The Saint Camille Commitment

Launched

2006

Est. Duration

1 year

Estimated Total Value

$750,000

Region

Africa

Countries

BENIN, COTE D'IVOIRE

Commitment by

Fondazione Saint Camille De Lellis

Details

Plans include: 1) Introducing an HIV/AIDS Program at the Saint Camille Hospital in city of Bouake, Ivory Coast, to deliver general healthcare services for the public in the rebel territories; and 2) Launching the Belleville Women's Centre for Professional Skill Training in Spring 2007, providing female patients with job skills. Women will gain professional training in agriculture and textile manufacturing to sell their goods commercially. The center will also offer housing and childcare services.
The Jericho Reception Centre and the Bohicon Centre in Benin are in final stages of construction; both will receive clean water wells, vehicles, and living quarters. In 2007, Saint Camille plans to begin construction outside of Abomey, Benin for the new Rural Centre and Day Hospital.

Background

The inability to treat the millions of Africans faced with mental health challenges constitutes a major public health crisis. Western Africans in particular are faced with both ongoing military conflict as well as the consequences of the AIDS pandemic and other preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and meningitis.
The Fondazione Saint Camille and Association Saint Camille currently operate care centers and outpatient professional training centers in Bouake, Korogo, and Bondoukou in the Ivory Coast as well as in Avrankou and Bohicon in Benin.

Progress Reports

June 2007
- Construction of the first Women's/children Professional Skill training and Educational Centre for ex patients in Bouake, the northern region of the Ivory Coast, continues thanks to private contributions. The Centre expects to be operative beginning in Dec. 2007.
- The Fondazione St. Camille participated with their local partner in hosting conferences in rural areas concerning mental health.
- Organized meetings with government authorities to address the problem of mental health at a national level.
- Acquired 470 acres of land to start the Bohicon Agricultural/ Farming Centre for ex patients, a 2007-2008 CGI commitment.
October - December 2006
- In Benin, The Foundazione Saint Camille de Lellis secured a grant from Catholic Relief Services to supply daily nutritional needs to 150 patients suffering from mental illnesses for 1 year. A capital investment of USD $10,000 for the vocational training of ex-patients in Avrankou, Benin, was also received (October - November 2006)
- Newly integrated into the national system, the Saint Camille Hospital in Bouake, Ivory Coast began receiving ARV's and lab reagents free of charge with support from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (November 2006).
- Fondazione Saint Camille's Bouake site formed a partnership with the Clinton HIV / AIDS Initiative (CHAI). CHAI will work with Bouake/ Fondazione Saint Camille to ensure that the site becomes a center of reference for testing, care and ART for the entire region. The Fondazione Saint Camille is exploring an agreement that would extend the collaboration with CHAI to activities in Benin and Burkina Faso.