Berega Hospital, Tanzania-Medical Scholarships
Tanzania, with its population of 54.7 million people (2018), is located in Africa. It borders the Indian Ocean to the east, and has land borders with eight countries: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
In 2018, about 26 million or 49% of the population lived below the $1.90 per person per day international poverty line (World Bank, 2020). It is ranked 154 on the UN’s Human Development Index out of 189 countries [United Nations Development Program (UNDP), 2020].
Berega Hospital is under the direction of the Anglican Diocese of Morogoro with capacity of 120 beds. The health services started in 1887, however the hospital was officially registered in 1929. The hospital is situated in a rural and poor area in Kilosa District of Morogoro Region of Tanzania.
Needs
The majority of the local population are not able to afford reliable medical services elsewhere in the area and there is a shortage of medication and medical supplies and equipment.
There is a critical shortage of trained nurses and other healthcare professionals in rural areas of Tanzania, including Berega.
Medical Mission Aid scholarship support has helped many students to study Clinical Medicine and Nursing. This has made a significant contribution to improving the health of people in this disadvantaged community, including reducing the mortality rates of women in pregnancy, and of babies and children.
Funding given to Berega Hospital has also been used to provide medication and supplies to enhance the life of many people in rural Berega.
Impact
“The health problems are especially severe in rural communities in Tanzania, where in many areas, including Berega there is a critical shortage of trained nurses and other healthcare professionals. Thence the MMA training support will make a significant contribution to reducing the high death rates of women in pregnancy, and of babies and children in our rural poor community“.
