Amanda longs for the people of Tanzania to have access to quality healthcare that she knows will transform lives and communities.
As part of a medical elective with the Church Missionary Society, Amanda travelled to the Murgwanza Hospital to learn about medicine in a low-income country context. Amanda’s heart was captured by the Tanzanian people, the compassion of staff at Murgwanza Hospital and the smiles of what would become her second home.
Since that first trip in 2007, Dr. Ward has returned to Murgwanza 11 times to mentor a local obstetrician and gynaecologist, equip locals with vital health skills and provide strategic advice to hospital management.
Amanda longs for the people of Ngara region,Tanzania, to have access to quality healthcare that she knows will transform lives and communities.
Murgwanza Hospital is located on a ridge in North West Tanzania, overlooking a typical African plain. From the hills of Murgwanza, the mountains of neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi can be seen. In 1994, Murgwanza Hospital served as a major receiving Hospital for victims of the RwandanGenocide. Today, as well as serving the local Ngara community, Murgwanza Hospital regularly cares for refugees of political instability in Burundi.
Murgwanza is a 13 hour drive from Tanzania’s Capital City, Dodoma and 21 hours from the commercial centre of Dar Es Salaam. This geographic and economic isolation makes the surrounding region of Ngara highly socio-economically disadvantaged.
Since 1965, Murgwanza Hospital operated as a “District Designated Hospital” by the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, as there is no government hospital capable of providing services in the area.
The need is critical. In 2024, Murgwanza Hospital treated 31,679 outpatients, admitted 16,347 patients, performed 3,442 surgeries and delivered 1,649 babies.
After 100 years of providing access to healthcare, Murgwanza Hospital is now in critical need of facility redevelopment. Amanda is partnering with not-for-profit organisation, Medical Mission Aid, and embarking on a project of renewal and facility redevelopment. This will ensure that Murgwanza Hospital can continue its vital work caring for the Ngara community of 500,000 people.
Medical Mission Aid is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) and holds Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Taxation Office.
Murgwanza Hospital does not receive government support for the maintenance and improvement of its facilities. Consequently, the state of hospital buildings are extremely poor. There is asbestos throughout the many buildings, mould and water damage. Despite servicing a region of nearly 500,000 people, there is only one operating theatre and labouring women are required to climb a flight of stairs to use the bathroom during labour. Further, the electricity supply is unreliable and blackouts are common.
Amanda invites you to visit Medical Mission Aid to make a tax deductible donation and support the Murgwanza Hospital Redevelopment Project.
All donations over $2 AUD are tax deductible and will be used to directly support the Murgwanza Hospital Redevelopment Project. Bank transfers can also be made within Australia via the below details:
BSB: 033-112 Acct: 385647
Acct Name: Medical Mission Aid Limited
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