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Ongoing violence, recurring droughts and a rural population in Eritrea pose great challenges for the new country's health care system. Eritrea gained its independence from neighboring Ethiopia in 1993. Ninety percent of the country's 5 million people are allowed to access free medical treatment at public hospitals and clinics.
However, Eritrea has only one doctor per 10,000 people and most health care providers are located in urban areas. With 80% of the country's population living in rural areas, it is much harder to access health care or travel to urban health facilities. The lack of access to medical care leads to needless deaths in patients with treatable illnesses, new mothers and children under the age of 5.
Strengthening the public health system is a priority. In recent years, significant investments have been made and several new hospitals and teaching facilities were opened to reach medically underserved communities. AmeriCares has forged new local partnerships and sent several shipments of medical aid to help with the struggling country's basic needs.
Read more about Eritrea:
Medical and Humanitarian Aid
AmeriCares began providing medical aid to Eritrea in 2008 with regular shipments of medicines and medical supplies. These products are distributed nationally at all levels of care, from rural clinics to large hospitals that treat complex cases from throughout the country. Aid deliveries include prenatal vitamins, masks to prevent the spread of diseases and specialized heart medicines.
Notably, AmeriCares supports Orotta Hospital, a new 200-bed national referral hospital offering the most specialized care in the country. It is the only place in Eritrea where people can receive specialized care from experts in the treatment of heart disease, kidney problems and severe skin infections.
Help AmeriCares save lives in Eritrea and around the world »
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AmeriCares is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. AmeriCares Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 061008595.