Transforming Emergency Medical Services in Tanzania
Our Challenge
Traumatic injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries worldwide. In Tanzania, mortality from road traffic crashes is estimated to be roughly double the global rate, with the majority of them occurring in the prehospital setting before patients are able to reach stabilization or definitive treatment.
Tanzania has no public emergency medical system, with only a patchwork of private ambulance services that are prohibitively expensive for average Tanzanians. Currently, most patients are transported to local hospitals by family, taxis or good Samaritans.
Emergency medicine as a hospital subspecialty is only a recent development in Tanzania, and has already resulted in significant improvements in patient outcomes. The lack of a prehospital emergency medical system inhibits the magnitude of this success by delaying access to definitive care.
Our Mission
Our initiative marks a groundbreaking collaboration between Emergency Medicine (EM) trained physicians, nurses and paramedics, forming a cohesive partnership between Arusha, Tanzania, and Minneapolis, Minnesota to envision and implement an EMS System in Arusha that serves everybody.
Our Team
Our multidisciplinary team comprises seasoned specialists, each possessing indispensable expertise crucial for establishing a comprehensive EMS system. With extensive experience in emergency medicine, critical care, paramedicine, and disaster response, our team members boast an intimate familiarity with the healthcare landscape, particularly in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania.
Our Approach
As we plan for Success, our project unfolds in three phases: A Capacity-Building Conference in 2025 will kick off our collaborative planning process, followed by strategic funding initiatives to establish a functioning EMS system in Arusha, and finally a larger initiative to build Tanzania’s first EMS training center.