The Foundation for African Medicine and Education (FAME) is a local Tanzanian non-governmental organization (NGO) that is dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of medical care in rural Tanzania and making a difference in the day-to-day lives of the Tanzanian people.

 

Since 2005, FAME has been providing medical care for marginalized and impoverished communities in the Northern Highlands of Tanzania. Before then, there were only 3 MDs to care for a population of over 240,000 people. That meant many people lived and died without ever seeing a doctor.

 

FAME began its work with a mobile clinic, but now operates a 24-bed hospital with an emergency room, two operating rooms and a recovery room, along with an outpatient clinic and a medical laboratory.

 

After opening the hospital, they quickly learned that patients far sicker than they ever imagined would arrive at their door, including individuals who would be cared for in Intensive Care Units in other parts of the world. Their doctors and nurses are well-trained in primary care, but often find themselves treating patients with complex medical and surgical problems, including the need for emergency obstetrical care and management of high-risk pregnancies.

 

Through the Global Telehealth Network, FAME will have improved access to the specialists who have already visited their facility, as well as to GTN’s larger network of physician volunteers.

   

Those consultations will also provide FAME’s physicians and nurses with opportunities for learning, thus enhancing their ability to handle similar problems independently in the future.

 

FAME website: https://fameafrica.org