21 July 2003

Bonn, Germany: The French association Congé Solidaire and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) have launched their first mission in Niger under a new joint initiative to field technical experts with enterprises in developing countries.

Under the accord, employees of French corporations are able to participate in missions identified by UNV and offer services free of charge during their annual leave.

"By engaging in this exercise, employees are making a unique contribution to the development of associations in the South," said Anne-Marie Bekaert of the Bonn-based UNV programme.

On this first mission, volunteer Catherine Chevalier from France Telecom Longue Distance will evaluate and update information systems at the main hospital in Niger's capital, Niamey, from 21 July to 4 August. Ms. Chevalier will also train staff members in the more efficient use of the software.

"The hospital suffers from a lack of information specialists," said its director, Dr. Sabou Ibrahim. "After several years of use, the programmes are out of date and need to be adapted to new uses and the financial management of the institution."

The Congé Solidaire-UNV mission is part of a comprehensive hospital reform programme covering all management, equipment and personnel issues which was initiated in early 2003 at the request of the Ministry of Health and with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

"These reform measures will allow the hospital to fulfil its mission as the country's central referral hospital and assume its place within the current context of evolving health technology," Dr. Ibrahim said. "Such assistance is necessary and should be seen as a process encouraging technical training of national health specialists."