Our Projects

Every year IHAN supports at least one program or field project in collaboration with a host country. Last year’s project was undertaken in Somaliland and it focused on primary health care. With the generous support of many, including Johnson & Johnson, the project successfully accomplished the renovation of the general hospital of Hargeisa and it provided medical treatment for over 1,000 mothers and children of the region. This year's project: The Literacy Project for HIV Orphans will take place in South Africa during the month of July. IHAN in conjunction with Penn State University, and two other NGO's: Age in Action & HEARTBEAT will sponsor fundraising events for this project throughout the year. If you would like to contribute, please see our calendar of events and our "How to Help" page.

Recent renovated Hargesia Group
Hospital in Somaliland.

Field Project - Hargesia Somaliland

December 1-10, 2003

In November 2002, IHAN participated in a fact-finding mission to Somaliland. IHAN determined that the Hargeisa Group Hospital, the only public hospital, is in dire need of renovation. The hospital infrastructure, medical supplies, and equipment must be dramatically improved in order to meet the basic health care requirements of the community.

The needs of the Hargeisa community are great especially because the majority of women suffer from the consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM). There are many cases of pelvic inflammatory diseases, vesico vaginal and rectal fistulas that should be addressed. As a result, IHAN adopted the Hargeisa Group Hospital and its constituents to ensure that their needs are met on an on-going basis.

IHAN aims to provide a mass immunization for 30,000 children of the Hargeisa community. IHAN will also launch a public health training program for local health providers. IHAN’s project team will include U.S. trained doctors, nurses and support personnel. This team will partner with Somaliland's Ministry of Health and the local healthcare providers through the Hargeisa Group Hospital.

IHAN’s Vaccination Programs:

• Eradication of common preventable childhood diseases and maternal neonatal tetanus;
• Examination for infectious diseases, joint and bone diseases, gastrointestinal parasites and skin lesions;
• Education of families and communities about public health issues such as hygiene, waste disposal, clean water and reproductive health;
• Expanding the public health network by renovating health facilities and supplying health care providers with the necessary training for new facilities and programs.