Ethiopia Medical Project (EMP) is dedicated to supporting Buccama Health Centre in rural Ethiopia. The charity focuses on preventing, raising awareness and treating Podoconiosis and Uterine Prolapse.
Both these widespread conditions carry a social stigma with sufferers reporting being ostracized from their families and communities. Yet both conditions can be treated, and in many cases reversed, with some simple treatments.
Uterine Prolapse
A decade ago when the Health Centre was still a small clinic it was inundated with women suffering with severe Uterine Prolapse. Many women with the painful condition, often caused by carrying heavy loads or frequent pregnancies, reported living in shame and fear.
Since 2009, around 8,000 women have come forward and been treated by the Health Centre. Most women can be treated by the Nursing staff sharing healthcare knowledge and a £3 pessary ring with more severe cases requiring a relatively simple operation. In the last few year, the Centre has seen a downward trend in the number of cases. This drop is believed to be due to more awareness of the cause and treatments available, coupled with a new law requiring all babies to be born in a Clinic meaning mothers are supported during childbirth.
Podo
Half the world’s population of people who suffer from Podoconiosis, a non-contagious form of elephantiasis, live in southern Ethiopia, where the Buccama Health Centre is situated. This disfiguring condition simply known ‘Podo’, causes massive swelling of the feet and lower limbs. Podo is caused when bare feet are exposed for prolonged periods to the country’s red clay soil. Through education Podo can be prevented. It can be treated and many cases reversed using soap, water and shoes.
Many of Buccama’s local farming communities, who tend to work without shoes, are affected and the condition can become so debilitating that they are unable to work on the land. Hundreds of men and women arrive each week with varying stages of the condition. EMP’s aim is to eradicate Podo from this part of Ethiopia.
Buccama Health Clinic
In 2018 the Clinic expanded to become the Buccama Health Centre, which now has two wards and a laboratory as well as 22 members of staff including five qualified nurses.
Funds
Each year EMP commits to raise a minimum of £50,000 to cover the medical staff’s wages and medical supplies. EMP’s goal is to raise £5 million to enable the Centre to be self-sustaining into the future.
As with all charities, EMP is stepping up to the challenge of continuing to raise awareness and funds as the effects of the pandemic take hold even in these deeply rural parts of Ethiopia.
What we do
We support women in need.
Fundraising
Continuously raising awareness and funds.
Medical Support
Providing life-saving medical support.
What your donations means
£5
a pair of plastic shoes
£15
feeds a family for a week
£50
covers the expense of bringing a woman to health before her surgery
£75
buys the Health Centres medicine for a week
£100
buys 3 pairs of customised shoes for the worst of the Podo feet
£2000
pays the staff salaries for a month
We are only able to do this with your help
Where we are
The Clinic is based in Southern Ethiopia.
Donations are always welcome, especially baby clothes, new underwear and socks.
Postage of a 2kg parcel costs approximately £14
Please address donations direct to the clinic:
Haimanot Ammanuel, PO BOX 249, Buccama Clinic, Soddo, WOLAYTA, Ethiopia
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