Our particular area of focus is radiology skills and equipment -- vital for medical diagnosis and therapy, but in short supply in developing countries. Tanzania, a country with a population of 36.8 million, has only 12 radiologists. There is a tremendous need for their services. Therefore, our main goal is to help Tanzanian medical officers get the education and training they need to provide care.

Our efforts in Tanzania are headed by Dr. Helmut Diefenthal, a retired University of Minnesota Assistant Professor of Radiology. Dr. Diefenthal has established a busy radiologic practice at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania. He also founded and teaches at the Kilimanjaro School of Radiology and coordinates the efforts of visiting volunteer teaching physicians and equipment donations.

We concentrate our efforts on the following areas, all of which are in short supply and are integral to our cause.

Radiology Training

We actively recruit volunteer radiologists to work and teach at the Kilimanjaro School of Radiology in Moshi, Tanzania. Our volunteers help educate and train Tanzanian medical personnel in basic radiology. Most graduates will eventually work in clinics where there is no radiologist available. If you've ever considered volunteering to serve in another country, this is a wonderful opportunity that will be both personally and professionally rewarding.

Equipment/Supply Donations

We actively solicit donations of appropriate radiology equipment and X-ray films for use at the school and at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania. This is an excellent opportunity for companies or organizations to serve a very useful, very rewarding cause.

Please note that not all used equipment is appropriate for Africa. We can advise which equipment will be useful and which, due to parts or maintenance problems will not be useful.

In June we received a used ultrasound machine, which was donated from England through the Northumbria collaboration but has not functioned since early December 2005.

Current Needs: Oncology Planning

Donations are being accepted to fund the addition of a cancer center that will include MRI, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.

Fundraising

Our efforts in the United States concentrate on raising funds and securing donations to continue our work. Helping others in need is one of the most significant things we all can do. Please consider a contribution to the East Africa Medical Assistance Foundation.

Over 95 percent of your donations go to our efforts in Tanzania.
We are a volunteer, nonprofit organization with almost no overhead expenses. Our board members work without pay. Physicians volunteer their time and expertise. Even the legally required audit is done on a volunteer basis by our CPA. Dr. Helmut Diefenthal, along with his wife, Rotraut, heads up our organization's efforts in Moshi, Tanzania. Their living and transportation expenses, including their visits to the United States, are covered by their pensions and income from an annual summer stint at the University of Minnesota. Your contributions go directly toward helping care for the people of Tanzania and to giving them the training they need to care for themselves.

Businesses and organizations who have contributed include:

• Carestream Health
• The Government of Tanzania: CT spiral scanner
• Philips Corporation: one Basic Radiographic System (BRS)
• Government of Japan: one BRS and one ultrasound machine