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Michael Johns, Project Manager | May 01, 2006
Preparing new mothers (copyright Barbi Reed)
One H.E.A.R.T. Mission
The mission of One H.E.A.R.T. (Health, Education And Research in Tibet) is to reduce the high mortality rates of Tibetan women and newborns, which is of utmost urgency for the survival of their culture. Two-thirds of Tibetan women deliver at home and often die giving birth. It is estimated that one-in-ten Tibetan infants dies in the first month of life, which is among the highest infant mortality rates in the world. One H.E.A.R.T. is committed to providing training and medical supplies to prevent a majority of the birthing-related deaths that occur daily in Tibet.
What Does One H.E.A.R.T. Do?
In 1997, while on a volunteer medical trip to India, Arlene Samen, the founder and executive director of One H.E.A.R.T. became familiar with the plight of pregnant women and newborns in rural Tibet. As a result of her experience, Samen, a nurse practioner with 25 years of experience in high-risk maternal health, made a commitment to start an organization that would save the lives of Tibetan women and their newborns during the birthing process. Founded in 1998, One H.E.A.R.T. offers programs that include Skilled Birth Attendant training, Pregnancy and Village Outreach Tibet (PAVOT) prenatal care and physician training in collaboration with local healthcare officials. In addition, One H.E.A.R.T. seeks to provide medical equipment and supplies for use in field programs, Tibetan hospitals and clinics, which often must operate with very limited resources.
What Can You Do to Help?
One H.E.A.R.T. accepts donations of new and used medical equipment that can be operated with 220V electricity, if required (many devices are internally convertible). Based in Salt Lake City, UT with local offices in Lhasa, Tibet, One H.E.A.R.T. can assist in the transport and placement of equipment donations in the Tibetan hospitals and clinics of greatest need. All donations are tax-deductible in the US.
Examples of medical equipment accepted for donation would include:
-\tUltrasound Equipment
-\tDefibrillators
-\tEKG/Heart Rate Monitors
-\tVentilators
-\tX-Ray Equipment
-\tIn Vitro Diagnostic Equipment
-\tIncubators
-\tFetal Monitors
-\tNeonatal Resuscitation Devices
-\tStethoscopes, Blood Pressure Monitors
Questions regarding potential donations may be addressed to Katherine Breedis, Advisory Board Member (212-641-3909) or via email at: katherine.breedis@us.schroders.com.
To Learn More
For more information, please visit the One H.E.A.R.T. website at www.onehearttibet.org
One H.E.A.R.T. is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and is approved by the TAR Government to work in Tibet.
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