University of Michigan

Every year, medical emergencies account for 28 million deaths—half the world’s mortality. In Africa, emergencies annually contribute to 262 years of life lost per 1,000 persons—twice the global rate of 129 years lost per person. Few patients have access to the life-saving treatments for time-sensitive medical conditions that emergency departments (EDs) and emergency medical systems (EMS) effectively provide in developed countries. Utilizing existing ED infrastructure, our project initially builds EDs and EMS across three countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia, and Tanzania). We partner with hospital and governmental leaders to replicate proven training programs we launched in Ghana in 2009. We integrate these programs with remedial business best practices, digital information systems, pre-hospital transport, and community-based primary care. Emergency-related deaths and disabilities will fall. The number of people who receive care will rise while per patient costs plummet. We will enhance preparedness for large-scale emergencies and make emergency care more accessible and financially inclusive.