Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

The project’s main components are: Patient identification in the rural areas of Arusha and Manyara Regions; assuring patients are properly nourished and physically appropriate for surgery; orthopedic surgery; and physical therapy and reentry to the community.

The primary activities undertaken are:

1. Community outreach to locate and provide surgical care to the disabled and disadvantaged children in the rural community. This requires the development of a team which travels extensively in these rural areas and works with dispensaries and congregations to identify and treat those in need. The team connects to the communities through local clinics, local churches, and through the local primary schools. Children identified as needing surgery in the village are referred to Selian and assisted with transportation where required.

2. Physical Therapy at SLH and ALMC, and the introduction of nurse practiced PT to hospitals in the area without professional Physical Therapists.

3. Orthopedic rehabilitative surgery on a minimum of 200 children annually. Children are invited to come to the hospital with a parent or guardian. The family is responsible for a token payment as a contribution to the health of their child and then full costs of admission, operation, and rehabilitation are covered by the program.

4. Assure quality postoperative care and reintegration of surgical patients to their communities.