Lives are being saved at Amani Medical Center!

Most of us live in a country where medical facilities are well-equipped, stocked with the best medicines, and where doctors have the highest possible qualifications. It can be hard for us to imagine a scenario where hospitals do not have enough beds, or even basic painkilling medicines to treat their patients.

Yet this is the reality in other parts of the world, including many communities in Tanzania.

Before the Amani Medical Center opened in 2012, women in Ntagacha often had no hospital or clinic to go to when they gave birth. Many children died in infancy. Deaths from treatable sicknesses – diarrhea, malaria, pneumonia – are commonplace in this region. Waterborne diseases, HIV/AIDS, and the current threat of Covid-19 are significant challenges. And many people have little knowledge about how to care for themselves and prevent illness.

In the past nine years, Amani Medical Center has made a huge difference in Ntagacha and the surrounding communities.

Last year, the center received 5,189 visits. More than 1,500 of these were for the treatment of malaria. Many other ailments and infections were diagnosed and addressed. A total of 155 surgeries and 102 teeth extractions were carried out. Care was provided to pregnant women before birth - and eighty-four babies were safely delivered during the course of the year.

Hundreds of moms in the community brought their young babies to Amani for medical checkups and advice designed to ensure healthy growth, good nutrition, and awareness of critical health needs. Health education initiatives include providing mosquito nets and guidance on improving personal hygiene, boiling drinking water, taking medication, and even following traffic regulations to prevent injuries! And, as in all of our work, we share about the living hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus.

We are encouraged by the impact that Amani Medical Center has had in this region so far – and we look forward to growing this impact in the future.

Part of our vision is developing a nursing school, providing training to some of our own young people and other prospective medical professionals. We are also grateful for the outstanding partnership we enjoy with Duke University. They regularly send medical teams and are helping us as we make our plans for the future.

The story behind how Amani Medical Center first started is also amazing! Watch out for our newsletter later this month which shares more!