Village Health Partnership

Giving birth is a miracle. Each and every time a baby presents to the world and takes his or her first breath, it is a guarantee that life goes on. Parents and family members rejoice and make plans for their future with their newest member. But not every baby takes a breath. The World Health Organization (WHO), estimates 1 million newborns die every year from birth asphyxia, the inability to breathe at birth. Without intervention, the baby will die, becoming only a sad memory. Approximately 10% of newborns will need help to breathe. I am working with Village Health Partnership to… Read More »Giving Birth is a Miracle

The Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH) plays a critical role in the health system of Southwestern Ethiopia. The hospital’s rural catchment area extends into both the Bench Sheko Zone and West Omo Zone along the Sudan border. The facility serves more than 1.8 million people with one obstetrician, two emergency surgeons, and more than fifteen nurse-midwives. Women travel for miles to reach the hospital in hopes of a safer delivery there than they would have at home. We are working in collaboration with the MTUTH and Margo Harrison, MD, MPH from the University of Colorado, to do clinical research… Read More »Good Outcomes In Spite Of Limited Resources

Global Water 2020 is a three-year advocacy and facilitation initiative designed to accelerate progress toward water access and security for all people in developing countries. The first global baseline assessment of WASH in healthcare facilities was released by the World Health Organization and UNICEF in 2019. Data was gathered from 560,000 healthcare facilities in 125 low- and middle-income countries and the findings were devastating: 2 billion people must rely on healthcare facilities that lack basic water services 1.5 billion people must rely on healthcare facilities without sanitation facilities 45% of healthcare facilities in Least Developed Countries lack basic water services… Read More »VHP Recognized by Global Water 2020 as a Health Leader and Trailblazer

Back in 2016, VHP – along with our amazing partners – completed an assessment of 14 health facilities in rural Ethiopia. The findings were eye-opening. All facilities lacked year-round access to clean water, most facilities had stick and mud latrines,  most instruments lacked proper sterilization, all facilities lacked working hand washing stations, and many lacked critical medical supplies. These health facilities became deadly for patients and providers alike. We could no longer ignore the connection between WASH and maternal health. Access to clean water and sanitation is absolutely essential to providing safe healthcare. These findings led to the creation of… Read More »Bachuma Hospital Well Update

The Bachuma hospital’s construction was completed roughly three years ago, however, it has yet to open due to an inadequate water supply. Due to this shortage, the hospital is unable to provide comprehensive care to the surrounding communities. VHP is committed to raising funds to construct a well and assisting in the installation. Challenge The Bachuma hospital, located in the Bench Maji Zone in South Western Ethiopia, serves Bachuma, the surrounding communities, and local villages. Its construction was completed roughly three years ago, however, it has yet to open due to an inadequate water supply. While complete services cannot be… Read More »Help Us Build a Well at Bachuma Hospital