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There is NEITHER cooperation NOR teamwork between the organization “Endulen e.V. – Take it with your heart!” and the following institutions: Since the foundation of our association in 2008, “Endulen e.V. – Take it with your heart!” works independently from any of the organizations mentioned above! |
What is Endulen?
Endulen is a small village in the middle of the Ngorongoro national park – the so called “Ngorongoro Conservation Area” – which is located in the north of Tanzania.
Being completely cut off from civilization and technological infrastructure, the natives of the Maasai tribe live in perfect harmony with nature and the african wildlife.
Endulen is neither connected to any road system nor to the power grid or water supply.
The only building made of concrete in that area is the 72-bed “Endulen Hospital”.
Its employees provide medical care for more than 72.000 people in need.
“Endulen Hospital” was founded by Dr. Herbert Watschinger, an Austrian priest and medical doctor, in 1976 originally to treat Tuberculosis patients only, who seemed to appear in high numbers especially in this area.
Since this time under several Medical Officers in Charge, “Endulen Hospital” developed from a living apartment and X-Ray building in a 72-bed general hospital.
It is equipped with a fully established laboratory, dispensary, Primary-Health-Care Unit, X-Ray and Ultrasound Rooms, a minor and a major theatre and a delivery room. Currently the hospital is served by 56 staff with a range from Doctors and Nurses to other supporting staffs like cleaners and cooks. At the present there are 56 Tanzanians serving at “Endulen Hospital” including medical doctors, nurses and other assisting staff like cleaners and cooks. Since the hospital is situated in such a remote area, the staff is living just next to the hospital in huts and houses to be immediately available in case of emergencies.
Top five diseases include malaria, tuberculosis, worms, pneumonia and syphilis. Even injuries caused by wild animals and malnutrition are quite common in this area. The HIV incidence within the Conservation Area was with 1.5% low in the first testing round in 2001, compared to the national level (9%). Last year the HIV-incidence rose to 4.2 %. This increase might be either caused by the growing interest of people to get tested or it can mean, that the HIV epidemic is really spreading within the Conservation Area.
Cultural habits and polygamy are facilitating the spread of the immune deficiency. The high incidence of sexually transmitted diseases and the lack of health education are enforcing it.
The Maasai community relies on food from outside the Conservation Area, since nobody is allowed to cultivate their own crops inside the barriers. These restrictions are put by the “Ngorongoro Conservation Authority” in order to protect the wildlife.
