Located in the north east of Nigeria, the Mambila Plateau, population approximately 750,000, lacks infrastructure as we understand in the west. Without mains water or electricity the centrally funded provision of education and healthcare for the community is thwarted by the minimal number of qualified people who are prepared to tolerate the uncomfortable living and working conditions, having instead the option to work in more centrally located cities and towns. Whilst the region has some government funded facilities, services are hindered by the absence of qualified staff and frequent strikes caused by pay issues and working conditions.
Whilst endeavours are being made to improve the overall situation much of the Nigerian infrastructure has been frozen by local corruption and dysfunctional bureaucracy. Various governments have promised to bringing with him a resolve to address the recurring issues including the resurging activities of terror extremists. However, the task of tackling the totally inadequate healthcare, water hygeine and basic nutrition for the masses is immense, in an area where the prevalence of Malaria, HIV, Typhoid, TB and Meningitis contribute to an average life expectancy of 48 years.
Dr Paul Ushie
Rapha Medica Project is a UK based, registered charity which directly supports Rapha Medical Outreach, a Trustee Incorporated Ministry with the Federal government of Nigeria. Led by Dr Paul Ushie, the small, skilled and dedicated team provide vital medical care for the remote community on the Mambilla Plateau in Nigeria. The next nearest qualified medical help is more than a 7 hour motor journey away, which is simply impossible for most.
Since 2011 Rapha Medica Project has raised funds directly improving the structural facilities and equipment. Significantly, the hospital benefitted from several advances in including the installation of a bore hole providing reliable water for the operative requirements of the hospital as well as the local people and solar panels supporting the unreliable electricity provided by generators.
Construction of a new hospital complex is underway on a larger site nearby. Already benefiting from its own bore hole, the complex includes a brand new Skills Acquisition Centre, where individuals gain skills to earn and become self sufficient, accommodation and purpose built new wards.
Providing health education and healing to the immediate population as well as reaching out to the rural poor . Many people travel extraordinary distances, often by foot for several days in order the obtain the medical care they need.
Though many conditions are curable, the recovery of patients is all too often complicated by ignorance, malnutrition, poor health, and the prevalence of endemic diseases like malaria, typhoid and HIV Aids.
Our aims
- To increase the capabilty of the hospital and improve life quality and expectancy through the provision of medical equipment and supplies.
- To provide much needed nutritional supplements for the rural children.
- To advance the treatment and education in respect of HIV Aids
- To address urgent structural needs improving conditions in the existing hospital building.
- To raise the necessary funds to construct a new purpose built hospital on land which is already purchased
