MangoWell’s inaugural project is the standing up and establishment of a nursing and midwifery school in Misungwi, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Mizpah Health Institute in Misungwi District of Mwanza is a brand-new accredited nursing college, located on the outskirts of the second largest city in Tanzania, where only a short drive separates the poverty of the city from the poverty of the remote.
The Compassionate Care model was adapted from curriculum shared by Jim Taylor, professor of philosophy and psychology at Westmont College, School of Nursing. It is an evidence-based approach to bring compassion into healthcare. Provision of compassionate care education will address currently harsh conditions or practices that lack kindness within the Tanzanian medical system.
The initiative has been welcomed by local Tanzanians who believe it will address these needs within the community. Tanzania Nurses and Midwives Council (TNMC) requested a partnership to bring the curriculum to every nurse in Tanzania.
Rural and Urban Poverty: Misungwi, on the outskirts of Mwanza, experiences significant poverty, primarily rural.
The area needs skilled healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes and provide quality care to its residents.
Healthcare Access: Establishing MHI in Misungwi ensures that local and surrounding communities have better access to healthcare services. This is particularly important in regions where healthcare facilities are scarce.
Quality Education: MHI provides comprehensive training, equipping students with medical knowledge, skills, and a strong ethical foundation focused on compassionate care. This elevates the quality of healthcare education in the region.
Scholarships and Support: Through partnerships with organizations like Compassion International, MHI offers scholarships to vulnerable youth, helping them pursue nursing careers and empowering them through education.
Serve the Community: MHI's approach integrates healthcare education with community development, addressing not just physical health but also educational, spiritual, and emotional needs. This holistic approach builds stronger, more resilient communities.
Return to Community: Graduates are encouraged to return and serve their communities, ensuring that the benefits of their education extend beyond individual gains to community-wide improvements.
Nurse Shortage: Tanzania faces a severe shortage of healthcare workers, especially nurses. The nurse-to-patient ratio is drastically low, with each nurse responsible for 25 to 30 patients daily, compared to the WHO recommendation of 1:4 to 1:6.
Training Facilities: The country graduates only 400 general nurses annually, with only 10 specializing in critical care. This stark disparity highlights the urgent need for more training facilities to address this healthcare gap.
The school has undergone three years of formation to become a registered nursing college, meeting international standards of excellence, and will soon open its doors to students in October of 2024.
Help us make a difference in Tanzania by supporting MangoWell and Mizpah Health Institute Tanzania, where every donation brings us closer to training more nurses, improving healthcare, and introducing compassionate care. Your generosity can change lives and build a healthier future for communities in need.