Located in the north east of Nigeria, the Mambila Plateau, population approximately 750,000, lacks any 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 corruption and dysfunctional bureaucracy. On 29 May 2015, Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as President, bringing with him a resolve to address the indemic corruption and tackle Boko Haram. However, the task of tackling the totally inadequate healthcare, water hygeine and basic nutrition for the massess 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.
Working from a converted farmhouse with no mains water, electricity powered by generator and limited resources, the team offer hope, 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
