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The African Mission Healthcare Foundation supports faith-based healthcare providers across Africa. . |
 | | Clinic operated by Banyatereza Sisters in rural Uganda |
Training Ugandan nuns to become medical workers | |
A major obstacle to improved health is the lack of qualified personnel in rural areas, where 80% of Africans live.
Through Virika Hospital, AMHF came to know the order which operates the facility along with a dozen other rural clinics. The Sisters told AMHF that they could not retain nurses, but the nuns lived on site and are willing to stay long-term. One group was saving 50 cents of their 30 dollar monthly salaries to build a maternity someday.
All they needed was medical training.
Now AMHF supports eight nuns in various stages of education: six nurses, one physician assistant, and a doctor--a common sense solution to a common problem, and we hope to train more in the future. | |
Hope amidst turmoil
Chidamoyo Hospital in northern Zimbabwe has faced tremendous challenges. Read about the hospital in The New York Times. The hospital must accept peanuts--literally--for payment, and so has no way to pay for capital improvements on its own.
AMHF asked missionary nurse and hospital director Kathy McCarty how we could help. There was a critical need to replace the irreparable x-ray machine and developer. As part of a joint purchase through a respected manufacturer, we negotiated a discount and shipped machines to Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Read Kathy's thank you letter.
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"...you didn't come in a 4 X 4 vehicle and you know mission hospitals."
Dear Friends,
We heard this statement from a nun who helps run medical clinics in Uganda and Burundi. She was thanking AMHF for listening to their needs, and we highlight those projects in the newsletter.
That is our operating philosophy: To listen to doctors and nurses who have been on the ground for 10, 20 or more years, those who have given themselves heart and soul to the work.
We are grateful to all those who have so generously partnered with us. Tens of thousands of lives have already been touched, and we are just getting started!
Serving with you,
Jon Fielder, MD
CEO |
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A Year of Transformation
Virika Hospital, Uganda
Founded in 1911, Virika Hospital had survived a devastating earthquake in the 1990s. Yet despite the leadership of a dedicated nun and ob-gyn, Sister Priscilla, Virika was not thriving. There was just no way to meet the pressing equipment requirements of the hospital...
Until AMHF visited and heard of the need and responded:
- A chemistry machine for basic blood tests
- An x-ray machine, to improve patient care and to generate revenue for hospital operations
- A generator to provide back-up power, facilitating safe surgeries and electricity for the nearby school
- Replacement of the mattresses in the obstetrical ward, allowing for clean repair of vesico-vaginal fistula injuries which develop during prolonged labor in young women
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Before the generator, the
hospital used oil lamps |
A year of transformation is how the Virika team described 2011. Now a pediatric HIV prevention program sends women to the hospital for safe Casarean sections thanks to the availability of reliable power. And the x-ray machine is on track to perform over 1500 x-rays per year, and tens of thousands over the coming decades. |
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How to Help
As with our past efforts, this work is only possible through the kindness and generosity of our friends.
AMHF is a 501(c)3 entity and may receive contributions in its name and issue tax-deductible receipts. Checks may be made out to African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Gifts may be sent to: Heritage Christian Church Attention: April Walters 7413 Maxtown Road Westerville, OH 43082 Or donate by credit card via AMHF's page on Razoo. No administrative charges are applied by AMHF to your gift. A generous donor covers our small administrative expenses. We are grateful for the donated administrative support of Heritage Christian Church. Razoo does apply a 2.9% credit card processing fee for gifts through its site.  | |
Cleft lip, before and after surgery at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center, Tanzania. AMHF supports the cost of operations and rehabilitation. |
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