A senior delegation from the Ruderman Family Foundation and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee visited Malawi to mark the expansion of its ImpactWell, last-mile health program, to the southeast African country.
Jay and Shira Ruderman, president and executive director of the Ruderman Family Foundation, visited the Wandikweza Health Center, a rural primary care clinic in Nkhafi Village, where they spoke to patients and medical staff to learn about local needs and determine which of ImpactWell’s health-care innovations, including cutting-edge Israeli medical technologies, mobile clinics and portable testing devices, should be utilized first to reduce illness and improve life expectancy among underserved populations in the area.
The ImpactWell initiative deploys Israeli medical technology and training to provide critical, last-mile health-care solutions in developing countries. Following its successful implementation in Ghana last year, Malawi becomes the second African nation to benefit from this innovative program.
ImpactWell will help build sustainable Malawian local health-care systems and strengthen last-mile health-care clinics and services. Malawi faces significant health-care challenges given its vast rural population, including one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates and a high incidence of TB, malaria and other fatal diseases.
The delegation signed a memorandum of understanding during a special ceremony in Malawi’s capital with Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, minister of health of Malawi, Jay Ruderman, and Avital Sandler-Loeff, the executive director of JDC’s disaster relief and international development unit. The signing officially kicked off ImpactWell’s work in the country. Members of the delegation also met Malawi’s president, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, at the Kamuzu Palace, who commended ImpactWell for bringing advanced primary health care to Malawi’s underprivileged communities.
“We’re incredibly proud of the expansion of ImpactWell to Malawi, a profound step in our ongoing efforts to ensure that first-class health care is a right enjoyed by all who need it,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “By deploying the latest in Israeli medical technology and training, we are fashioning sustainable health systems for the future and hope this model can serve others dedicated to providing life-saving medical care in places where it is nearly impossible to access.
“This partnership showcases how Jewish values, Israeli innovation, and a shared commitment to saving lives can create meaningful change in the world,” Ruderman said.
