Press Release Medical Teams International Celebrates Two Decades of Impact in Uganda By Medical Teams International October 24, 2024 (KAMPALA, Uganda) October 24, 2024 – Medical Teams International in Uganda is proud to celebrate 20 years of transformative health interventions in Uganda, a journey marked by commitment, growth, and collaboration. Since our founding in 2004, we have consistently responded to critical health needs across Uganda, serving displaced communities, managing outbreaks, and improving health systems to restore wholeness in a hurting world. Medical Teams began our journey responding to the devastating Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) crisis in the northern region of Uganda. Initially headquartered in Lira, we provided essential health care services to internally displaced persons (IDPs). In 2009, our operations expanded to Nakivale Refugee Settlement, marking our first collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), where we took over full health services management for the settlement. Securing a key partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in 2011, Medical Teams reinforced our commitment to refugee health. We also introduced our “Day of Calling,” a dedicated time for staff prayer and reflection, strengthening the organizational culture and aligning with our Christ-centered approach to serving those in most need. This period saw Medical Teams praised for its ability to quickly respond to refugee influxes from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi while maintaining a high standard of health care delivery. As conflict in South Sudan intensified, Medical Teams was called upon by UNHCR to expand its services to newly established settlements in the West Nile region. We rapidly scaled our operations, extending services to Adjumani, Palorinya, and Bidibidi refugee settlements, growing our workforce from 300 to over 1,000 staff members. Our team was instrumental in responding to a severe cholera outbreak in Adjumani, further cementing our reputation as a dependable health provider during emergencies. In 2018, Medical Teams restructured to improve operational efficiency. We also responded to a cholera outbreak in Kyangwali and successfully took over full operations of the settlement from UNHCR. We also developed core behavior statements that emphasize respect, teamwork, empowerment, reliability, and work-life balance, which are values that have guided our work over the past few years. In the face of emerging challenges such as the Ebola threat and COVID-19 pandemic, Medical Teams responded and is responding swiftly. Despite the global pandemic in 2020, we maintained health services across refugee settlements, responding to crises in Kyaka II and Rwamwanja. Medical Teams responded to major public health emergencies, including the Ebola outbreak in Mubende in 2022 and the influx of refugees in Kisoro. In 2023, we launched our new strategy for 2023-2026, “Choices for Sustainable Impact,” aiming to streamline operations and foster long-term sustainability. Today, we have consolidated our efforts to continue responding to the growing influx at the different border points and the recent outbreak of the Mpox from the Democratic Republic of Congo, striving to contain it from becoming a pandemic. As we celebrate 20 years of lifesaving work in Uganda, Medical Teams remains committed to delivering high-quality health services, responding to emergencies, and improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable. Our partnerships with different partners and key stakeholders will continue to drive our mission of providing healing, hope, and sustainable health solutions. About Medical Teams International Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, and survivors of conflict zones and natural disasters. Daring to love like Jesus, we care for the whole person and serve all people. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams. ###