Lubango SOS Medical Centre

The SOS Medical Centre at Lubango has, since 1997, provided both prevention and cure for orphaned and vulnerable children and their families in the local community. The clinic sees about 2,000 patients each year. The need is great. There is a low level of health following the civil war. Specific programmes have included prevention of malaria, developing clean drinking water, a series of workshops to discuss issues related to HIV/AIDS, sanitation and family planning. The SOS Medical Centre is the one place that orphaned and vulnerable children and their families in the local community can find easy access to the highly sought-after and very expensive anti-rabies vaccine. This has saved many lives. In addition to this, the SOS Medical Centre has taken part in the massive poliomyelitis vaccination campaign, which has been of remarkable help to the surrounding community.