Emergency & Street Medicine for 5,000 in Mwanza

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