Training Health Workers in Mozambique Transforms Palliative and Community Care
A unique project is transforming community health in Mozambique. In Matola, near the capital Maputo, health workers are receiving specialized training. The focus is on improving palliative care and supporting those who care for the sick.
The French NGO Douleurs sans frontières (DSF) leads this initiative. Its Mozambican partner, Visão Global para Vida (VGV), works alongside it. The project is co-financed by the City of Paris and Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
Palliative care is an essential pillar of health systems worldwide. However, its development in Mozambique remains severely underfunded. DSF has worked in the country for nearly 30 years to change this.
Community Health Workers at the Core
Forty-five community health workers have now been trained. Their curriculum covers chronic diseases, palliative care, and cancer. It also includes sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial support.
These workers provide primary care and home-based support. They serve hundreds of patients with chronic illnesses, including HIV. They also educate families on the importance of treatment adherence.
Support groups have been established for family caregivers. This prevents emotional exhaustion and burnout. It improves the quality of life for both patients and their relatives.
Empowering Women Through Skills and Income
Women are central to this community-based initiative. Many serve as dedicated volunteers. To ensure sustainability, the project added a strong economic empowerment component.
A sewing training course was organized at VGV’s premises. Fourteen community activists participated over three months. They developed valuable skills in garment making and clothing repair.
The training concluded in December 2025 with promising results. The income-generating activity strengthens women’s economic security. Part of the earnings reinvests into the VGV workshop itself.
“The clothing produced, particularly school uniforms, meets community needs,” said Luisa Carlos Honwana, VGV President. The items remain affordable for local families.
A Truly Comprehensive Approach
The project recognizes the deep links between health and dignity. Many women face daily exposure to suffering, illness, and poverty. Some are survivors of gender-based violence.
DSF teams provide individual and group psychosocial consultations. They also support women through social and legal procedures. This holistic approach addresses health, protection, and empowerment together.
“Irene,” a VGV volunteer and sewing participant, explained its impact. She conducts home visits for patients with chronic diseases. She emphasized that palliative care and psychosocial support are essential. Patients often face extreme needs, including a lack of basic necessities.
By combining medical care, emotional support, and economic opportunity, this project delivers a sustainable and deeply human response to Mozambique’s local realities.
