Child Health International

CHI was launched in 1991 (then known as the International Integrated Health Association - IIHA) to improve standards of child healthcare, especially for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and congenital heart problems, in the Russian Federation. The CF programme is complete and is considered to have revolutionised the treatment of Russian CF children and much increased their life expectancy. The programme was extended to Ukraine, where it continues - in 2005 to India, in 2006 to Lithuania, in 2007 to Belarus and to Latvia in 2008.

The Mission of CHI is to improve standards of child healthcare, especially for children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and congenital heart problems, by deploying suitable UK volunteer health professionals to countries, where resources are limited. The expert medical teams have been drawn from the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, Southampton General Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital, Berkshire.

Our Vision includes: 

1. Many drugs and enzymes (which are vital to treat children with CF) required to improve the quality of life of an afflicted child are totally unaffordable to the child's family. Whilst CHI will work to encourage national governments, local administrations and pharmaceutical companies to make medication more accessible, it is recognised that ‘treatment' must be designed to be ‘low-cost'. Advice on diet, based on locally available products, and physiotherapy administered by parents - after advice from CHI volunteers, can make a big difference.
2. Collaboration with an in-country partner is considered vital - often with a local NGO. The existence of an indigenous NGO affirms that some local need has been identified. Planning of the project can be undertaken in partnership. Importantly, once the visit by a British medical team has been completed, the NGO will hopefully be able to monitor implementation of the "lessons learnt" - and report to CHI if more help is needed.