Nearly 3/4 of a MILLION DOLLARS raised!

Dear Colleagues,

I would personally like to thank you for your tremendous response to this years appeal.

Despite the great economic and logistical challenges to many medical practices, you have managed to contribute over $80,000 for distribution to our partners in the field to shore up medical services in Africa.

That brings us to a remarkable milestone – namely nearly 3/4 of a MILLION DOLLARS raised since inception of the foundation.

There is of course still work to do. It seems we are just at the beginning of the Covid outbreak in Africa.

  • From 17/6-24/6 the number of cases in Africa increased by 28% and death rate by 25%.
  • South Africa alone has 100,000 cases.
  • Nigeria has 20,000 cases of which 5% are health workers.
  • Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau have health workers accounting for more than 10% of their cases.
  • There is almost certainly massive under reporting of both cases and deaths.

The pandemic has overwhelmed fragile health systems disrupting programs for treating HIV, TB and Malaria. The WHO projects that deaths from these diseases could double. Treatment interruptions also raise the threat of drug resistance – already a formidable problem and a factor that might potentially affect all of us.

If you have not as yet made your (tax- deductible) contribution but wish to do so this financial year, there is still time!

Regards to all

Robert Baume

On behalf of the Directors of the Twice the Doctor Foundation

June 2020 Fundrasing Update

Dear colleagues

Thank you to the many generous doctors and supporters who have contributed to this (financial) year’s drive. As a result we will be able to pass on a total of nearly $50,000 to our various partners in the field – namely UNICEF, Fred Hollows Foundation, Barbara May Foundation, SURGICALife. 

Healthcare systems in Africa suffer from neglect and underfunding, leading to severe challenges across the six World Health Organization (WHO) pillars of healthcare delivery.

A study was conducted as part of a recent African Epidemiological Association Meeting in Maputo, Mozambique with participants drawn from 11 African countries, Cuba, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Researchers found that the leading challenges in the healthcare sector as identified by the study participants were:

1. inadequate human resource for health

2. inadequate budgetary allocations to healthcare

3. poor leadership and management in healthcare. 

Please recall that our funds are concentrated on programs aimed at expanding human health resources.

There is still plenty of time make a contribution this (financial) year if you find yourself in a position to do so. (All contributions are fully tax deductible.)

                                                           

Regards to all

Rob Baume

On behalf of the Directors Twice the Doctor Foundation