For Immediate Release For more information or you
would like to help call:
Randy Souza
Feeding The Nations
(574) 968-1566
Local Organization Assists First-of-its-Kind African Mother/Baby Hospital
SOUTH BEND, Ind. –Feeding The Nations (FTN) worked with Indiana University School of Medicine and Moi University School of Medicine, in Eldoret, Kenya, to provide thousands of pounds of vitamins for distribution at the new Riley Mother Baby Hospital in Eldoret—the only of its kind in East Africa. In 2008 FTN sent 17,107 pounds of pre-natal vitamins valued at $250,483 to 18 medical clinics located in rural areas of Kenya. The organization now prepares to send nearly one million children's multi-vitamins, worth $80,128. The vitamins are essential to supplement the increased nutritional needs of the mothers and children, many of whom are battling HIV/AIDS.
"We feel fortunate to be able to play a part in this exciting opportunity to help countless mothers and children in Kenya," said Steve Sumrall, FTN president. "The opening of this hospital means not only improved medical care, but also gives tremendous hope to women and children throughout the country—quite an important task since maternal and infant mortality rates in Kenya remain among the worlds' highest. We pray that this facility will be a true blessing on the lives of so many."
Able to accommodate 50 infants at a time and up to 12,000 deliveries a year, the hospital provides care for women and newborns. The 75,000-square-foot facility includes operating rooms for Cesarean deliveries and the first functioning NICU in all of East Africa, replacing the former facility that was simply one open ward for laboring mothers and a small room with 10 wire baskets for newborns. The new hospital will also serve as a training center for health care providers throughout western Kenya.
Indiana University School of Medicine and Moi University School of Medicine joined together in 1989 to develop leaders in health care for both the U.S. and Africa, in an effort to train future generations of health care providers in both nations. Together they have created one of Africa's largest HIV/AIDS control systems. Their work has effectively blocked mother-to-child transmission, conducted outreach to encourage safe practices, screened for preventable diseases, fought hunger, built self-sufficiency, and provided education for orphans and vulnerable children.
For those who would like to help, visit www.FeedingTheNations.org for more information.
Feeding The Nations is a non-profit 501(c) (3) International Christian humanitarian relief organization with supporting international offices. FTN is a division of Provident® whose ministries are headquartered in South Bend, Ind. The mission of FTN is to deliver food, medicine, planting seed, vitamins and other necessities to families who lack these essentials due to famine, war, poverty or other natural disasters. For more information, you can write Feeding The Nations, P.O. Box 2438, South Bend, Ind. 46680 or visit www.FeedingTheNations.org.
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