Oreteti Health Center
Our Oreteti (Oh re TET) health center is the first of EHCO's projects, and is based on the building plans for a health center provided by the Tanzanian government. Oreteti is the name of a sacred tree in the Maasai culture, known for its healing and spiritual power.
Four Buildings. One Goal.
- The Outpatient Department includes the pharmacy, five consultation rooms, two bedrest/emergency rooms, as well as a treatment room for minor procedures.
- The Laboratory features state-of-the art equipment and dedicated laboratory personnel.
- The Operating Theater has two operating rooms and two recovery rooms for non-obstetric surgeries.
- The Maternity Ward includes one antenatal ward,two delivery rooms,two postnatal recovery rooms,an operating theater with separate recovery room and a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Fast Facts
- Will eventually employ 33, treating 10,000 patients per year
- Local patients to pay 20% of actual cost
- $650,000 annual operating budget
"The reason we came to Engaruka is because of those stories. They are our roadmap."
— Dr. Walii Msuya
In addition, the health center will offer family planning services, health education, referrals, and even transportation when needed. Although care for mothers and infants is a large part of the mission, EHCO will provide comprehensive medical care to the entire region.
The Need
"I had to leave my four children under the age of seven at home for nine long months while I sought specialized care for my youngest. All that time, I lived far from home in a hospital so my child could receive the treatment he needed. When Engaruka Hospital opens, families like mine wouldn’t have to endure such painful separations or the heavy cost of traveling so far for care.”
— Maria
Our Partners
Project C.U.R.E, the world's largest distributor of donated medical equipment, donated a 40-foot shipping container filled with equipment and supplies valued at between $200,000 and $300,000.
Maternity Africa provides housing and advanced care for patients with obstetric fistulas, along with free, in-depth labor management training for Oreteti staff, because the best fistula treatment is prevention.
Pincus Family Foundation, focused on the well-being of children worldwide, provided our septic system.
WELL4ALL is the 501(c)(3) that manages our donations and passes the money directly and only to EHCO.
Project C.U.R.E.'s donation has already improved access to comprehensive, quality health care services for the 200,000 men, women and children in our catchment area!
Now that Oreteti is open, women with life-threatening labor complications will no longer have to travel long distance over roads that are impassable in rainy season. Sick infants will have the care they need. Thousands of people will have both health care and health education near home.
"I understand Dr Msuya to be a highly professional and capable individual, and that Government officials and others have endorsed his work. I am delighted to recommend EHCO."
—Michael Hynds, former Interim Country Director, Maternity Africa