American People Partner with Tanzanians to Provide Medical Care for Women and Children

U.S. military medical professional administers eye exam to a Tanzanian patient during a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) sponsored by the American people this month at the Duga Maforoni Dispensary. Tanzanian medical providers and U.S. service members cared for more than 450 patients, largely women and children, at the Duga Maforoni Dispensary per day.  The program gave women 15 to 49 years of age and children under 5 years of age enhanced medical care as part of the Tanzanian Health Initiative, which is in line with the U.S. government's Global Health Initiative.

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Natalie Tussey overlooks medication distribution for local Tanzanian women and children during a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) sponsored by the American people this month at the Duga Maforoni Dispensary.

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Natalie Tussey greets local children during a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) sponsored by the American people this month at the Duga Maforoni Dispensary. 

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Tanzanian medical providers working in partnership with U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) provided medical care to more than 2,217 Tanzanian women and children during a Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) held recently.

The five day MEDCAP was conducted in the villages of Mtimbwani, Duga Maforoni, Mwakajembe and Daluni in Tanga region in northeast Tanzania in coordination with the Tanzania People’s Defense Force and local police.  The program supported the Tanzanian Health Initiative, a program that seeks to provide a comprehensive approach to health for the Tanzanian people and parallels the U.S. government’s Global Health Initiative.  

“We wanted to focus on women and children’s health. It is very important to have healthy moms from the beginning,” said U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Natalie Tussey, Camp Lemonnier primary care physician and MEDCAP medical care provider.

During the program, women of childbearing age and children under five years old received a preventive health educational briefing, a consultation with a doctor and medication if necessary.  

After registering, MEDCAP participants in an educational discussion on topics such as HIV, AIDS and malaria prevention, as well as preventive medicine measures for food and waterborne illnesses.

Following the discussion, the women and children were seen by Tanzanian doctors and were either given treatment or referred to larger medical facilities, before receiving applicable vitamins, medications and corrective eyewear.  

U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam Public Affairs Officer Dana Banks said:  "This program is the result of the partnership between American and Tanzanian medical professionals, and underscores the American people's commitment to promote health in Tanzania."

The MEDCAP was sponsored by the American people through CJTF-HOA, and is one of several U.S. programs to promote health in Tanzania, including through the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Walter Reed Medical Center, and the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI).

Photo & Story by the Courtesy of American Embassy 

Dar es Salaam