ICROSS extending health programmes

ICROSS a unique responase to Poverty

2010 marks a significant milestone as we reach 30 years of public health programmes. When Dr Joe Barnes and I began our work, we never realised that it would become such a significant contribution in reducing poverty and disease. In this annual review, we will look back on some of the highlights over the last thirty years. Before looking at the new challenges, as we build the organization over the next decade. Together with our friends and partners, we have managed to extend our long term public health programmes despite extraordinary challenges and demand on our limited resources thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers.
We have been able to achieve improved health services and significant reductions in water borne diseases. The great strength of ICROSS has always been a unique combination of long term commitment and evidence based research. Because we built all of our work through our local belief systems and traditions, this year has shown how effective the ICROSS model can be. This report marks a further milestone following the restructuring of the charity like all dynamic organizations we are constantly incorporating new ideas and improved practices. This report outlines a series of new steps we have taken to prepare ICROSS for the years ahead. On behalf of Dr Evan Sequiera and our board of directors, as well as our programmes and management teams, I thank you for sharing our work in this annual report.
Over 35% of children in ICROSS projects are underweight or stunted. Kenya has a population of 36.b million. Its life expectancy is 35 and falling. The average age of Kenyans is 17 years old and the chances of dying before the age of 30 are ten times higher than living in Europe. ICROSS remains committed from the last 30 years to the improvement of health in vulnerable communities and tribal groups. ICROSS has worked over the decades with many endangered tribes suffering from high infant mortality and maternal deaths. Infant mortality in Kenya in 2009 was 55 per 1000 compared with 4.6 per 1000 in the UK. With infant disease 200 times higher than in Western Europe, ICROSS is dedicated to reducing this suffering. In Finland, infant mortality rate is 3.47 per 1000, France, 3.3 per 1000. Kenya ranks 181st in the world with one of the highest death rates in East Africa.
Together with a strong policy of holistic obstetrics and gynaecology, ICROSS is building sustainable women’s health. For 15 years, the chairman of ICROSS in Kenya has been the chief of surgery and obstetrics at the Nairobi Aga Khan hospital, Dr Evan Sequiera. He continues the work of Dr Joe Barnes in setting a selfless example of giving

Dr Mchael Meegan , Founder
International Director
Rift Vally Kenya January 2011