Why a Children's Hospital?

Health Care for Children in Africa

Currently, there are only four dedicated children's hospitals in Africa - two in Egypt, one in Kenya and one in Cape Town, South Africa, serving a population 741 million. This, in comparison to 19 children's hospitals in Australia, 20 in Germany, 23 in Canada and more than 200 in the United States.

The Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town tends to mainly serve the children of the Western Cape and surrounding regions while the bulk of the child population resides in the Eastern Cape, Kwazulu Natal and Gauteng provinces. All levels of pediatric care in South Africa are currently overwhelmed by the demand for services.

The increase in government spending of primary and secondary health care has, in some cases, resulted in a reduction in budgetary allocations for tertiary and quaternary care. This increase in spending at primary level has seen an increase in the number of referrals up to secondary and tertiary levels resulting in long waiting periods at times.

Child Health as a Human Right

Children have a right to be cared for and receive medical treatment. This treatment should be in an environment that is safe and caring. The statistics in Africa, however, tell a sad tale with 394 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa living in poverty, the mortality rate in the same region is currently 157 per 1000 live births.

In the words of Mr. Nelson Mandela "a specialist dedicated children's hospital will be a credible demonstration of the commitment of African leaders to place the rights of children at the forefront - nothing less would be enough."

How Can You Help?

Make a donation on-line: http://nelsonmandelachildrensfundusa.org/.

For More Information

Please contact Meghan at the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund USA: meghan@nmcfusa.org / 617.443.4435.