About A4WH
Who we are
A4WH is an Australian charitable trust founded in 2010 by Gynaecologist Obstetrician, Dr Ray Hodgson.
The objective of A4WH is to improve the appalling state of women’s health in Nepal.
The magnitude of women’s reproductive health problems in Nepal is enormous. This is largely due to gender discrimination from early childhood on a background of limited availability of health services.
A4WH undertakes regular medical and surgical ventures in Nepal to provide treatment to underprivileged women and to train to local doctors, nurses and midwives.
The organisation is registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is fully transparent with all finances. There are no religious affiliations.
Our approach
We have two major arms with in Nepal:
Maternal Health
Genital Prolapse
2015 Earthquakes
The 2015 earthquakes in Nepal destroyed or severely damaged large numbers of hospitals and health centres including the general hospital in Dolakha in Dolakha, north-east Nepal. Eight-five percent of medical clinics in this district of Nepal were damaged or destroyed.
The general hospital in Dolakha provided treatment for approximately 30,000 patients per year but due to major structural damage it is no longer safe for use and has undergone demolition. As a result medical and surgical treatment in this area has taken place in basic tents.
The health of all Nepalese in this area has suffered; women’s reproductive health is now in a critical state.
A4WH has worked with other partners including United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Medical Relief (IMR), to provided mobile emergency health camps in this region.
Earthquake aftermath, Dolakha Medical Clinic.
Proposed hospital design
Hospital Construction
Our current focus is to provide funds to build a Mothers and Babies Hospital on the site of the general hospital in Dolakha. We are actively seeking sponsors and donors to raise funds for this life-saving project.
Estimated Construction and fitting out costs: AUS $1.8 million.
Maintenance and running costs: provided by local NGO partner, Dhulikhel Hospital
Scholarships
A4WH proudly provides annual scholarships for medical and midwifery training.
All scholarships include full return airfares, accommodation and training.
Midwifery Ultrasound Scholarship
Two Nepalese midwives are selected each year to travel to Australia to develop further skills in antenatal ultrasound. Over a four week period the successful midwives undergo more advanced training with Port Macquarie Ultrasound.
Nepalese Medical Student Scholarship
In the near future, a final year student doctor from Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal will be selected to travel to Australia to spend six weeks of study at the Port Macquarie campus of University of NSW Medical School. The successful student will undergo more advanced training in skills of obstetrics & gynaecology.
Australian Student Scholarships
Each year a scholarship is available for one medical student from University of NSW Port Macquarie Rural Clinical School to travel to Nepal to assist in the activities of a treatment camp. The scholarship provides an all expenses return trip to Nepal. Applications for this scholarship open on September 1 each year.
Local Student Scholarships
A4WH is providing a secondary school scholarship to a local Nepalese girl, Anju BK. Anju, aged 13, won the hearts of the A4WH team during the March 2011 surgical treatment camp when she provided exceptional care during their stay. Anju’s education fees will allow her to travel to Kathmandu to attend a secondary school of very high academic standards, allowing Anju to reach her full potential.
Our Mission
We believe that equality is a human right. Every woman, regardless of race, wealth or social status, should have equal access to the highest standards of medical care.
Our Principal aim is to provide sustainable medical treatment and public health interventions for women in developing countries suffering from gynecological or pregnancy-related conditions.
A4WH adheres to the highest ethical standards in the acquisition of funds and the provision of medical care.
