Health

The health element of the Fullness of Life programme will address the following United Nations Millennium Goals (UNMDG) by achieving the targets set by the United Nations. Progress towards the UNMDG will be measured against the United Nation’s own indicators as listed.

UNMDG: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

Target: Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

Indicators
(a) Reduced prevalence of underweight children under five years of age.
(b) Reduced proportion of the population below minimum level of dietary energy consumption.

UNMDG: Reduce child mortality

Target: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under five mortality rate.

Indicators
(a) Reduced under-five mortality rate
(b) Reduce infant mortality rate

UNMDG: Improve maternal health

Target: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality rate.

Indicator
(a) Reduced maternal mortality rate

UNMDG: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Target: have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.

Indicators
(a) Reduced incidence and death rates associated with malaria
(b) Reduced incidence, prevalence and death rates associated with tuberculosis

The usual target is often to set up a clinic or facilitate regular access to qualified medical practitioners, but in reality this is not a possibility for much of the developing world. Additionally, any such support can be lost at any point due to personnel or financial changes within the situation. Accordingly, the aim of the health aspect of Fullness of Life is to improve each individual’s health and thus reduce the need for a medical service that is not practically available. This approach is cost effective, realistic and sustainable.

The core goal of the health programme is to strengthen the body’s immune system. This will involve vitamin intake, a healthy diet, improved hygiene and an exercise regime. The health of individuals will also be positively impacted by the water management element of the programme. Counselling will be provided to improve emotional health and, for those who wish it, access to positive spiritual development will be facilitated.

In order to “kick-start” the health programme a short-term programme of vitamin and minerals will be introduced. This will be for every child, and also for the adults within the supported area, as finance allows. This support will be provided through sponsorship and is intended to last a minimum of three months, dependant upon sponsorship levels available. For those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS a longer programme, with a more specialised list of vitamins, will be provided.

Health will be addressed through improved diet. Vegetables and fruit will be selected for production based upon their nutritional value. Attention will be paid to those high in anti-oxidants and rich in vitamins and minerals. Adequate supplies of protein and other aspects of a balanced diet will be ensured.

All those benefiting from the programme will be actively encouraged to commit to a daily exercise regime. The benefits of regular exercise are very well known in the West and this knowledge, and mindset, needs to be exported. The Fullness of Life team and local volunteers will supervise these activities.

Initially, a programme of visiting medics will, wherever possible, be put in place to provide regular access to qualified medical help in order to bring health up to a level which the other asects of the programme can then maintain.

HIV/AIDS test will be made available at the start of the programme for any who would like to be tested. The results and subsequent health of those showing HIV positive will be closely monitored for any benefits from the programme that may impact upon the wider AIDS problem. This is an important aspect of the programme as it has implications for the HIV/AIDS situation across Africa, and beyond. It will be essential that all test results are medically verified and meticulously recorded.

Emotional health will be addressed through counselling, mentoring and courses and activities designed to improve self-esteem and motivation.

As a Christian programme, Fullness of Life will make the Christian Gospel available to all who wish to access it. We believe that the Gospel has a positive effect on both the physical and emotional health of those who believe. Medical science also supports the view that a person with a positive and active faith enjoys practical health benefits as a result of that faith.

Start-up needs include: Vitamin and mineral supplements, HIV test kits.