Chad Profile

Chad is considered to be one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world, largely as a result of the civil war and rebellions that have raged since its independence in 1960. Chad is a land locked country situated in central north Africa bordered by 6 countries. Chad has a population of approximately 11 million of which 80% live below the poverty line on less than $1 per day.
Chad has a harsh climate with temperatures reaching 50 degrees during the dry season. There is poor sanitation and limited provision of safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas. Chad's health provision is inadequate with approximately 3 doctors, 15 nurses and 2 mid-wives per 100,000 people. Life expectancy is approximately 48 years with the highest infant mortality rate in the world, so the health needs are huge.

The two official languages are French and Arabic, although more than 120 different languages and dialects are spoken throughout the country. Chad comprises of Saharan desert, tropical savannah and the floodplain wetlands of Lake Chad. In recent years it has experienced a large influx of refugees from neighbouring Sudan.

Fifty per cent  of those living in Chad are Muslim, 34 per cent are Christian with significant animist and atheist minorities. The countries constitution provides for a secular state and guarantees religious freedom and different religious communities generally co-exist without problems. The political division between the north and south is reflected in the religious affiliations with the more Islamic north and relatively Christian south. 

The Hospital Guinebor II