Donate for lifesaving projects in Mwanza Tanzania.

Tanzania Rural Health Movement Progress Report

Overview: The Tanzania Rural Health Movement (TRHM) is a registered non-profit organization based in Mwanza, Tanzania, established in early 2014 by a visionary medical student. TRHM aims to deliver essential healthcare services and promote environmental sustainability in underserved and rural communities.

Our primary initiatives include:

1. Street Medicine Project
2. Mwanza Community Emergency Response Project

These projects focus on providing critical healthcare services and support to vulnerable populations, including street-connected children.

1. Street Medicine Project

Project Overview: The Street Medicine Project offers free healthcare services and psychosocial support to street-connected children in Mwanza. This initiative, active since 2015, provides comprehensive care, including medical treatment, psychotherapy, social support (clothes, shoes, food), and hygiene services (shaving, bathing) through weekly outreach.

Achievements:

• Children Served: Over 25,000 street-connected children have received care.

• Hygiene Improvement: Shaving services provided to 271 children, reducing the risk of fungal infections.
• Disease Prevention: Distribution of 150 pairs of shoes and nail clipping for 271 children. Mass Drug Administration has treated 221 children for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) since April 2024.

Challenges: Street-connected children in Mwanza face numerous barriers to accessing healthcare, including stigma, poor hygiene, and inadequate resources. Common health issues include typhoid fever, schistosomiasis, and other NTDs.

Solutions Implemented:

•  Support from GlobalGiving: Funding has enabled the purchase of essential hygiene equipment and medical supplies, significantly improving health outcomes and access to care.

Future Goals:

• Increase the number of children receiving regular health check-ups.
• Expand the provision of hygiene supplies and educational sessions on health practices.

2. Mwanza Community Emergency Response Project
Project Overview: The Mwanza Community Emergency Response Project is Tanzania’s first free citywide emergency response initiative, employing a Lay First Responder Model. Utilizing the “Beacon App” for dispatch, this project provides rapid emergency care and transport, with an average response time of seven minutes.

Achievements:

• Incidents Responded To: 1,020 emergency incidents have been managed since May 2023.
•  Beneficiaries Served: 7,448 individuals have received emergency care since the project’s inception.

Challenges: Many individuals in Mwanza, particularly in underserved communities, lack access to prehospital emergency care. Road traffic incidents and other emergencies often lead to severe outcomes due to inadequate immediate care.

Solutions Implemented:

• Equipped Ambulance: With funding from the GlobalGiving, the ambulance is now fully equipped with a spinal board, stretcher, and oxygen cylinder, enhancing its capacity to handle emergencies effectively.

FutureGoals:

• Train additional laypersons and motorcycle drivers to become first responders.
• Expand emergency care coverage to more remote areas.

Conclusion

The Tanzania Rural Health Movement continues to make significant strides in improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved populations in Mwanza. With the support of partners like the GlobalGiving, we are addressing critical health needs and enhancing emergency response capabilities.

Call to Action: We invite continued support and collaboration to expand our programs and reach more individuals in need. Together, we can create a healthier and more equitable future for Tanzania’s underserved and rural communities.

Links:

• TRHM Lifesaving Projects

Tanzania Rural Health Movement has continued to provide healthcare services to the underserved and rural communities in Mwanza, Tanzania through her lifesaving projects. Your contribution has been a cornerstone of the successful implementation of these projects to those with immediate need of healthcare services.

Mwanza Community Emergency Response Project has continued to respond to trauma, obstetrics and medical emergencies in Mwanza, Tanzania at an average of less than eight minutes. We have continued to train the trainers and equip the first responders with basic equipment and supplies. Also, we have engaged in the community awareness and sensitization the campaign “Piga Yowe Kidigitali”. From Jan- March 2024 we have responded 72 incidents, and this drop is due to rain season, but we have managed to provide emergency help to 108 casualties.

We have been nominated to contest for Tanzania Digital Awards 2024 through Mwanza Community Emergency Project. You can vote for Dr. Marko Hingi through https://digitalawards.co.tz/voting/voting/nominating/ by 31 March 2024.

By March 2024 we have managed to reach and provide healthcare services to over 25,000 street children dwelling in Mwanza, Tanzania. The children have received the medicines to prevent and treat schistosomiasis and worms. They have been provided with food, shoes, and clothes as well as medical examination and treatment through our community outreach plan.

At the Medical Dispensary. We have continued to provide healthcare services to the communities including those who can’t pay. For period of Jan- March 2024 we have managed to provide exemption to the clients who can’t afford to pay where 43 clients benefited. At first time we have managed to get a defibrillator to support our operations also we have expanded our working space and equipped with medical devices to ensure the clients are getting standard treatment and care. The patients have increased where we attend an average of 400 clients per month.

Your support has been a life changer to many and the stories from beneficiaries are really encouraging and if happen you visit Tanzania please consider visiting us in Mwanza. Thank you.

Links:

• Street Medicine Project
• Tanzania Rural Health Movement| Project Activities