SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, September 4, 2005. The objective of the project is to mobilize various community and volunteer networks in order to help implement the Dominican Republic’s strategy of the National Program for Control of Tuberculosis (PNCT) – an arm of the Dominican’s Ministry of Health (SESPAS).

BRA will target 40 bateyes of the Monte Plata province with activities relating to the prevention of TB, the promotion of health services from the PNCT, and the reduction of stigma/discrimination against TB patients. These activities include orientation talks to take place at schools, churches and other community sites, as well as visits to the homes of TB patients. “We will be working closely with local leaders and community members to help develop these activities,” said Ulrick Gaillard, CEO of the BRA.

BRA Dominicana will undertake the project for two years spanning 2005 to 2007 with financial help from the USAID/Conecta project amounting to $75,000. In-kind support will come from some of the BRA’s major partners including Direct Relief International, Dominican’s State Sugar Council (CEA), Food for the Poor, and the Catholic Medical Mission Board.

BRA is currently seeking high quantity of donations in clothing and food (rice, corn, beans, milk, etc.) for the patients. Please contact Ulrick Gaillard at bra@bateyrelief.org for more information on how to donate.