Summary
Organization name
Village Health Partnership
other names
VHP
2010
Tax id (EIN)
01-0967873
Category
Health Care
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
1601 East 19th Avenue Suite 4450Denver, CO 80218
Denver County, CO, US
ET
VHP is a US based non-profit organization that operates in Ethiopia through community partners and local medical providers to improve access to maternal healthcare. In Ethiopia, only 34% of women receive prenatal care and fewer than 10% of births occur in a health facility. Without skilled assistance at the time of delivery, one in 10 women die in childbirth, one in two develop a debilitating complication, and many more babies die. As a result, Ethiopia has one of the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the world.
VHP is one of the only organizations focusing resources in this part of the world. Ongoing conflict, political instability, the Covid-19 pandemic and remoteness have left women in rural Ethiopia nearly abandoned. Our programs address the three barriers to accessing healthcare: the decision to seek medical care, the ability to reach medical facilities, and the availability of safe and effective healthcare.
Testimonials
- Our Screen, Transport, and Treat Program successfully screened, transported, and treated 275 women facing gynecological challenges from childbirth. This includes addressing 250 cases of pelvic organ prolapse and 25 cases of fistula.
- The Bachuma District Hospital completed the solar power project with the installation of solar power ensuring that the facility now has reliable energy access. This improvement is vital for delivering uninterrupted healthcare services.
- Through our WASH and Maternal Health Initiatives (MHI), we are actively working in 10 healthcare facilities across the West Omo Zone and parts of the Bench Sheko Zone.
- Village Health Partnership was recognized by WorldDenver with Dr. Margaret "Migs" Muldrow, Founder and President of Village Health Partnership, being honored for her commitment to advancing maternal health in Ethiopia
- Global Water 2020 recognized VHP as an “International Trailblazer” for the WASH & MHI in 2020.
- Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekene Yesus Development And Social Service Committee recognized the VHP STT Program as a flagship program for all of Ethiopia in 2021.
- Ethiopian Government officials in the WOZ recognized VHP for its efforts to “reach women in need” and “lift up the community” through the WASH & MHI in 2021.
- Colorado Women’s Foundation recognized VHP and Margaret “Migs” Muldrow, MD, for Leadership in Women’s Health and the WASH & MHI in 2022.
- The Head of the Department of Social Services in Kellem Wollega said that “VHP programs bring peace and security to the whole community.”
Meretu's story is typical of the women we serve. Meretu's life was profoundly impacted by a childbirth-related injury called fistula, which caused constant leakage and odor, leading to social isolation and shame. Through Village Health Partnership's Screen, Transport, and Treat Program (STTP), Meretu received the necessary treatment and care that transformed her life. The STTP initiative plays a crucial role in identifying women with gynecological issues, transporting them to healthcare facilities, and providing essential medical treatments.
Meretu's journey from suffering to healing highlights the critical importance of accessible healthcare and the life-changing impact of Village Health Partnership's work in rural Ethiopia. By addressing not only immediate medical needs but also ensuring ongoing support through programs like STTP, we are able to restore dignity and hope to many women like Meretu. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion and community in transforming lives.
Mission
The mission of Village Health Partnership (VHP) is to prevent maternal and neonatal death in childbirth, and to treat and prevent gynecologic complications of childbirth in rural Ethiopia.
Background Statement
VHP was founded in 2010 when community leaders in Ethiopia approached the Founder & President, Margaret “Migs” Muldrow, MD, to partner with them to improve maternal health. Dr. Muldrow has a deep knowledge of southwestern Ethiopia’s culture, language, and medical needs as she grew up in the country and has remained connected to the area as an adult. Dr. Muldrow knew she was in a unique position to help tackle the challenges faced by women living in some of the poorest and most remote parts of rural Ethiopia.
A group of doctors and area experts came together in 2010 to form a board and launch VHP. The initial program offered was the Screen, Transport, and Treat Program (STT), which continues today and provides direct healthcare services to women suffering from gynecologic complications from childbirth. VHP first provided services to only a few women at a time, but has grown through trust to now serve 175+ women each year.
Through this direct fieldwork, VHP was confronted with the marginal capacity of maternal healthcare in rural Ethiopia, including:
1) An extreme lack of skilled health care providers—currently there is only one physician trained in obstetrics and gynecology for every 1.8 million people.
2) Unsafe conditions of existing health facilities—most facilities lack running water, adequate sanitary conditions, and basic infrastructure for maternal healthcare.
Despite the Ethiopian government urging women to seek medical care, these factors contributed to unsafe conditions for child delivery and a significant lack of trust in the healthcare system. It became clear that prevention efforts were key to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality.
In response, VHP launched a WASH & Maternal Health Initiative (MHI) in 2017. Working with community stakeholders, VHP is implementing year round access to water, measures for sanitation and hygiene and infrastructure for maternal health in 11 health facilities. These facilities form a health system of care that covers the entire West Omo Zone.
As part of the initiative, VHP is incorporating skill-building curriculum for rural health care providers in clean and safe healthcare, child delivery and Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC), and scholarships to nurse-midwife students at the Aira Hospital School of Nursing and the Mizan Aman Health Sciences College.
VHP’s three-program approach of direct provision of healthcare, capacity building projects, and education and training of healthcare providers is producing sustainable outcomes in rural Ethiopia. The program also addresses the immediate and long-term needs of maternal health by establishing health systems of care in some of the poorest communities in the world.
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Organization Data
Denver, CO 80218