THE AFRICA MEDICAL SERVICE - UNDER CONSTRUCTION

A PROJECT OF THE AFRICAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE.ORG

TO ADDRESS THE MEDICAL CONCERNS OF AFRICA AND AFRICANS IN THE DIASPORA and to provide a forum for concerned health care personnel from around the world to assist with improving health care in Africa.

While health care in many places around the world is less than perfect, parts of Africa and its people represent this inadequacy to an excessive extent.

The AFRICAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE, through The AFRICA MEDICAL SERVICE (TAMS) is engaged in a number of health care projects in AFRICA with the intent of making a small step towards improving health care on the continent. From village primary health care projects to emergency medical assistance projects, the organization aims to enhance medical services in Africa through its people-to-people exchange model. The projects of TACE and TAMS focus on the exchange of medical personnel, primarily Americans, to conduct medical projects on a first-hand basis at African project sites. By providing the services to the local population on a personal basis, the magnitude of the problem being addressed as well as the assistance being provided are likely to be felt more directly. Furthermore, lasting developmental relationships are established that will hopefully provide a framework for sustained growth and improvement.

Additionally, The Africa Medical Service (TAMS) hopes to provide an enhanced forum for improving health care in Africa through this website. By providing a network for healthcare professionals, and students as well, and a medium for individual patients and their families to request services, TAMS hopes to help take steps towards improving the health care needs of those in underdeveloped regions of Africa by providing a central location for addressing and discussing some of those health care issues and possible solutions.

We need your help. Click on here to see how you can help. Suggestions regarding improving the site are welcomed.

CASE Consultation-Please register and tell us your specialty. We will verify your information and then connect you with an African physician and a patient in Africa who is in need of special assistance.

Volunteering-Please register and specify the type of project in which you are interested in participating, either:

Emergency Medical Relief Projects-These projects consist of medical work in crisis areas either due to conflict or natural disaster such as flood, famine or cross-border conflict zones. These projects entail a slightly higher risk than Health Care Recovery projects. Currently TAMS is accepting applications for the SEMAP in The Sudan, and The Niger Health Care and Nutritional Project.

Health Care Recovery Projects-These projects take place in areas deemed to be in the post-conflict or post-crisis phase and are generally in areas of increased stability. The projects focus on the rehabilitation of fractured health care systems by providing personnel and materials to conduct a primary health care operation. TAMS is currently in the project implementation stage for the Sierra Leone Health Care Recovery Project and is planning the Liberia Health Care Recovery Project.

Village Health Care Projects-These projects take place in underdeveloped rural areas and consist of primary health care for the village residents and for those in nearby surrounding areas who are ambulatory to the clinics. TAMS currently supports this type of project at Penyem Village Health Care Center, the Gunjur Health Care Center and the Brikama Women’s Health Clinic all in The Gambia, West Africa. Other sites in the planning stages are located in Senegal, Guinea, and Gabon.

Hospital Based Projects- These projects are based in either urban center hospitals or rural town hospital and are geared towards those who wish to have an inpatient hospital experience in Africa, including but not limited to Internists, Ob/Gyns, Surgeons, Anesthesiologists and Radiologists. These types of projects are available in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Kenya. Contact TAMS for more information and to set-up an individual project.

Request Volunteers- If you are a doctor in Africa seeking medical assistance for you clinic or practice, please contact The Africa Medical Service Staff for an evaluation and site visit to help you get assistance with medical supplies and doctors or students to volunteer at your site.

Request a consultation for a patient- Do you have a family member or know of another person in Africa who is in need of medical care or medications or medical care that is unavailable to them locally? Please contact us for referral to the appropriate care.

Patients- Are you unable to get medical care for your problem in Africa? Please contact us for assistance.

Join the Association of African Doctors- This new organization is a web-based association of doctors that intends to provide an organizational means for improving the ability of doctors working in Africa to obtain services and exchange ideas. Click to join.

Medical Schools in Africa - Click on the link to find a medical school in Africa to which you may apply for a rotation or to donate to the school. Click for a list of medical schools in Africa and their contact addresses.

Africa Related Travel Medical Questions- Do you have questions about your planned trip to Africa? Please contact TAMS for information on immunizations and for a Travel Medical Referral.

Sponsor a needy patient - Would you like to sponsor a patient in need of medical treatment? TAMS prepares lists of patients who have special needs in consultation with our African Doctor contacts. Please contact us regarding these patients.

Donate- The Africa Medical Service accepts medical supply and medication donations for shipment to our project sites in Africa. We also appreciate your cash donation to assist with furthering our aims of improving health care in Africa.

Suggestions of ways to improve this site – We are continually upgrading our site and appreciate any suggestion or comments you may have regarding this information.