Dear Friends, Colleagues, Global Tigrayan Diaspora, Allies, and Concerned Citizens of the World,
We are writing to you as the representatives of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, the largest and most advanced medical center in Tigray. However, we find ourselves amid a critical situation that threatens the lives of thousands of patients, the quality of medical training and the very future of healthcare in our region. Whether you are connected to Tigray by roots, friendship, or simply a heartfelt empathy for our struggle, we invite you to join us in a cause that urgently needs your support.
The Tragic Impact of War:
As many of you may know, the devastating war that ravaged Tigray left us in a desperate condition. Many of our facilities suffered extensive damages due to the absence of both corrective and preventive maintenance. This has affected our state-of-the-art equipment, including MRI, CT scan, mammography, lithotripsy, Cathlab, and echocardiography, rendering them inoperative or severely impaired. The essential radiotherapy machine, though a substantial investment, remains non-functional. The challenges include preparing the room with attention to structural details and the complex task of installing and fine-tuning the machine itself. As a result, a considerable number of cancer patients have been forced to seek treatment in Addis and Jimma, with many succumbing to painful deaths in the absence of this essential care.
The Exodus of Skilled Staff:
The war has taken a toll on more than our infrastructure, affecting our human resources. We have lost many of our dedicated staff members who had to flee the violence, seeking refuge and working in far-off places. Our staff exodus has continued beyond the peace deal, leaving our capacity to provide specialized care and education on the brink of collapse. As Ayder serves as a tertiary care hub and a cornerstone teaching hospital in the region, its failure would not only adversely affect but also hinder the progress of healthcare services throughout Tigray.
The Urgent Call for Help:
We urgently call upon all global organizations, NGOs, societies, and individuals who care about the health and well-being of our people to join us in this noble cause to help restore Ayder Hospital's ability to serve as a patient-centered and top-notch medical education facility in Tigray. We especially appeal to our fellow Tigrayan Diasporas organizations and allies to assist us in this fundraiser.
Our Needs:
We need your financial support, technical assistance, advocacy, and solidarity to overcome this unprecedented challenge. That is why we are launching this fundraising campaign to mobilize resources and solidarity for the Tigray region. At Ayder's request, HPN4Tigray will facilitate communication and coordination for this vital effort.
The Hope Ahead:
We believe that the recent peace deal offers a window of opportunity to rebuild our hospital and our region. We hope that you will respond positively to our call for action. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.
Sincerely,
The Executive Management Team of Ayder Teaching Hospital
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