In Mali, we are working to increase community health centres’ clientele, to improve their financing and management capacities and to expand women’s participation in decision-making. We have also begun nutritional education efforts to promote more balanced diets, based on local resources.

A South-North Partnership

In Dakar 2005,  a partnership was created between the Réseau québécois des intervenants en action communautaire and Fédération nationale des associations de santé communautaire (FENASCOM). Members of FENASCOM were in Canada in May 2006, and RQIAC members were in Mali in January 2007. The next South-North partnership mission is planned for November 2007.

One Partner in Mali

FENASCOM: Fédération nationale des associations de santé communautaire
Created in 1994, FENASCOM is an umbrella organization that encompasses close to 700 community health associations (ASACO) and private health groups in Mali. It represents a framework that enables the cooperation, orientation, integration and coordination of the activities of ASACO members. Its mandate is to implement information, awareness and communications activities and campaigns; to mobilize community leaders, people working towards decentralization and households in order to build on the objectives pursued by national health, community and social development policies; and to offer guidance to ASACO so that they can carry out their mission of managing community health centres (CSCOM) and mobilizing the resources required for health and social development programs. It has a national executive office with 25 members and a supervisory committee with 5 members on 5-year elected terms.