Niger

Infant mortality in Niger

Nigerians suffer from one of the world's highest infant mortality rates—15 percent—and more than one quarter of Niger's children do not live to celebrate their 5th birthday. Widespread poverty and lack of resources have led to chronic malnutrition for many of the country's 14 million people. Nearly 15% of children less than 5 years old are severely malnourished and their parents do not have access to proper care.

In 2011, the Human Development Index ranked Niger 186 out of 187 countries. The index is a composite indicator measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions of human development—a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living. One of Niger's most urgent needs is increasing the number of health care professionals. Currently, there is just one physician for every 50,000 people.

Our work in Niger

We sent our first team of volunteers to Niger in June, 2004. Since then, we have deployed 43 volunteer teams to train African hospital staff and provide patient care at Serving in Mission’s Galmi Hospital.

Our hands-on training for medical professionals enhances the likelihood that local professionals will stay in their home countries and continue to serve, since they will have the skills and knowledge they need to provide proper care.

Plans for 2012-2013

Medical Teams International will send 5 medical teams to Niger to complement Serving in Mission Galmi Hospital's medical services and to train local physicians and hospital staff in primary care and surgical specialties.

Surgeons of all specialties are needed for these teams including general surgery, urology, OB/Gyn, orthopedics, pediatric surgery and many others. Additionally, primary care physicians are needed, including pediatricians, family practice, ER and internal medicine specialists.

Our partner in Niger

Serving in Mission has been operating in Niger since 1945. It serves the desperately poor, rural population of approximately one million people on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. The hospital is situated in south central Niger, less than 10 miles from Nigeria’s northern border. The Galmi hospital is known as the best surgical center available in Niger and performs more than 3,000 major operations annually. The outpatient clinic serves more than 300 people daily. 

Please donate or volunteer to help save lives in Niger.