As a third project, we decided to support the construction of a health centre in Tonanrourt, Mauritania.
A health centre where nothing currently exists
As a new solidarity initiative, Imani4Children has decided to support the construction of a health centre in Tonanrourt, Mauritania, in a desert and highly isolated area where access to medical care is currently extremely limited.
This project will also be carried out in collaboration with Bambini nel Deserto (ETS), an Italian NGO that has been working in Africa for many years on health and education projects carried out in close collaboration with local authorities.
The location
The new clinic/health centre will be built in the Tanamrourt Oasis, in the municipality of El Meddah, Adrar Region (Mauritania). This area is very isolated, difficult to reach, and inhabited by sedentary populations and nomadic groups .
Currently, medical care is only accessible after long journeys to the cities of Atar or Nouakchott, which is often impossible in emergencies.
The health centre
This is not just a first aid station, but a second-level healthcare facility, designed to become a stable reference point for the area. The facility will include:
🩺 Medical clinic for visits and basic care
👩⚕️ Permanent nursing station
👶 Maternity area with labor and delivery rooms for safe natural births
💊 Pharmacy and medication storage
🧼 Restrooms and support areas
The centre will be able to care for an estimated 800-950 people, distributed among neighboring villages and nomadic communities. The project is being implemented in agreement with local authorities and the Mauritanian Ministry of Health. Upon completion of the work:
- The facility will be managed by the local public health system.
- Healthcare personnel (doctors and nurses) will be guaranteed.
- Medicines and basic medical supplies will be provided.
Bambini nel Deserto will continue to monitor the facility’s operations, as it does for other health facilities in Mauritania.
In many rural and desert areas of Mauritania:
- Women still give birth without medical care.
- Infections and curable diseases become dangerous.
The distance from hospitals makes timely care impossible. This health facility will:
✔ Reduce risks related to pregnancy and childbirth.
✔ Ensure ongoing basic healthcare.
✔ Offer a stable healthcare hub for the most isolated communities. The total cost of building the facility is approximately €51,000. The budget includes:
- Construction, foundations, and masonry work
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Coverings and windows Sanitary fixtures and basic medical supplies
All work is carried out with local labor and under the technical coordination of Children in the Desert. Expenses are accounted for and documented.
