20 23 A N N UA L R E P O RT
Best friends Samuel (left) and Jordan (right) pose for a picture as they have fun at the hospital’s playground.
PURPOSE
VISION
MISSION
To provide world-class surgical care to the world’s most vulnerable children for the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel
A world where children living with disabilities reach their full potential through God’s hope and healing
To heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God — Luke 9:2
2 | Annual Report 2023
CONTENTS Letter from the Executive Director.................4 Hospital Overview ......................................... 5
Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia
Our Network ................................................... 6 Building the Future: Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia Sets Up Plastic Surgery Department....................................... 7 Strengthening Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Healthcare in Zambia......................................8 Danny’s Journey to Straight Legs................. 10 Financial Activity........................................... 12 Senior Director Team.....................................13 Partnerships.................................................. 14 Join Us........................................................... 15
The numbers and statistics cited throughout this report reflect CURE’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), which ran from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Dr Lastroni conducting bone surgery alongside OR nurses Boyd (left) and Malembeka (right).
Annual Report 2023 | 3
A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Frida Kabaso
T
his year, as CURE Zambia’s numbers grew, we experienced the goodness of God. Matthew 9:37–38 says, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” As we prayed and desired to transform the lives of more children and share the gospel, the Lord sent laborers and generous donors who made all our work possible. Dr. Meredith Workman is our answered prayer and brought to fruition our dream of having a full-time plastic surgeon in our hospital. She arrived in January 2023 and became the third plastic surgeon in the country, and the only pediatric plastic surgeon. Her arrival has made CURE Zambia only one of two hospitals that provide plastic surgery services in the country. We also actively participated in the 2023 World Health Organization World Hearing Day celebration. Our work was highly recognized, and our patient Michelle was featured. Michelle had surgery and can now hear clearly and attend school. We continued our growth trajectory during the past year, conducting more than 3,000 surgeries for the first time. Indeed, the harvest was plentiful, as we had over 5,000
4 | Annual Report 2023
faith expressions. We continue serving more vulnerable children in need and sharing the good news of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our hospital strengthened its partnerships with churches in surrounding communities through our Theology of Disability training, which trained 180 pastors from different communities in our areas of operation. The program helps pastors and church leaders understand and model a biblical perspective on disability, which sees all people as created in God’s image. In the coming year, we will continue to depend on God and trust Him to bring our plans to fruition. We are greatly humbled and honored to be partners with our donors, the surrounding communities, and the government of Zambia as we seek to positively impact and change the lives of children with correctable disabilities. Honoured to serve together,
Frida Kabaso Executive Director, Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia
OVERVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2023 KEY PROGRAM STATISTICS IN FY23
PROCEDURES 3,500
PATIENT VISITS
DECISIONS FOR CHRIST
17,111
5,003
239,726 total since inception
33,768 total since inception
3,000 2,500 2,000
1,611
1,640
FY20
FY21
2,539
3,010
FY22
FY23
1,500 1,000
HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS TRAINED
PEOPLE REACHED WITH THE GOSPEL
500
13,808
1,010
PATIENT VISITS
83,585 total since inception
in 36 events this year
30,000
28,203
25,000
SURGICAL PROCEDURES 3,010 IN FY23 26,400 total since inception
20,185
20,000
21,935
17,111
15,000 10,000
39% Orthopaedics
5,000
39% ENT
FY20
21% Plastics 1% General
FY21
6,000
4,000
54 PATIENT BEDS
128 STAFF MEMBERS
3 OPERATING ROOMS
FY23
DECISIONS FOR CHRIST 5,000
HOSPITAL SUMMARY
FY22
4,627 3,765
5,003
3,499
3,000 2,000 1,000 FY20
FY21
FY22
FY23
Annual Report 2023 | 5
Davao City
PHILIPPINES
Niamey
OUR NETWORK
Addis Ababa
NIGER
ETHIOPIA
Mbale
UGANDA Kijabe
KENYA Lusaka
ZAMBIA
Blantyre
MALAWI
Bulawayo
ZIMBABWE
ZAMBIA Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia Cities where FY23 mobile clinics occurred
6 | Annual Report 2023
CURE Zambia is part of CURE International, a Christian nonprofit organization that operates a global network of children’s hospitals pairing world-class surgical care and counseling to serve children living with treatable disabilities and their families.
BUILDING THE FUTURE
Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia Sets Up Plastic Surgery Department
I
n the past few years, BeitCURE Children’s Hospital of Zambia (CURE Zambia) has recorded a growing number of conditions such as cleft lip and palate, burn contractures, and webbed fingers and toes that are treated with plastic surgery. In 2021 alone, the hospital served over 500 children with such conditions. This prompted CURE Zambia to set up a full-time
plastic surgery department to help children living in underserved communities.
treatable disabilities, and she’s currently Zambia’s only pediatric plastic surgeon.
In January 2023, as the first step in getting the department up and running, CURE Zambia welcomed its first full-time in-house plastic surgeon, Dr. Meredith Workman. She answered the call of God to serve children living with
Until now, plastic surgeries were performed at surgical camps by visiting surgeons from the United States. Since Dr. Workman joined CURE, she’s performed over 290 surgeries. As a hospital, we remain focused on serving more children with treatable disabilities. A full-time plastic surgery department will increase the number of surgeries we provide to vulnerable children like three-year-old Christina. She will have her second surgery at CURE Zambia later this year as part of the hospital’s comprehensive care for cleft lip and palate.
Dr. Meredith examines little Christina, who is being treated at CURE Zambia for a cleft condition.
Annual Report 2023 | 7
STRENGTHENING EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT (ENT) HEALTHCARE IN ZAMBIA
O
n 3 March 2023, Beit-CURE Children’s Hospital (CURE Zambia) joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Hearing Day, commemorated under the theme “Ear and Hearing Care for All, Let’s Make It a Reality.” Led by the Zambia Police Brass Band, the day kicked off with a 1.3 kilometre march from Lusaka Intercontinental Hotel to the Ministry of Health Ndeke House. Launching the event, Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said, “I am therefore very delighted to highlight the progress we have made together with you, our cooperating partners, towards our government’s commitment of attaining universal health coverage by the year 2030.” Ear and hearing problems disproportionately impact marginalized populations. Globally, over 1.5 billion
CURE Zambia staff conduct an ear screening on Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo in the CURE Zambia ENT mobile screening truck.
people live with ear problems and hearing loss, nearly 80 percent in low- and middle-income countries. “In Africa, an estimated 135 million people have ear and hearing problems. These numbers are rising. At the current rate, it is likely that by 2050, there could be over 338 million people affected by ear and hearing issues in Africa,” said WHO Country Representative Dr. Nathan Bakhayita. INTENTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS FOR GREATER IMPACT Twelve years ago, CURE Zambia, in partnership with Christian Blind Mission (CBM), established tertiary ear and hearing care services at CURE Zambia, offering funded ear care to children under
Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo poses for a photo with stakeholders in the ENT field.
8 | Annual Report 2023
the age of 18. This was all to supplement the good work that the University Teaching Hospital of Zambia ENT Clinic was doing at the time. To date, CURE Zambia has conducted over 5,000 lifetransforming ENT surgeries. In a bid to support and supplement the efforts of the Ministry of Health to provide ENT care, CURE Zambia recently welcomed a full-time in-house ENT surgeon, Dr. Haben Birhane, to join our part-time ENT surgeon, Dr. Racheal Hapunda. The doctors, on average, see about 650 patients per month. “I am really passionate about otorhinolaryngology,” Dr. Haben said. “There is a growing demand for ENT medical care not only in Africa but also globally. Being able to bring value whilst serving with CURE International is what I love the most. Not only do I get to help heal kids from underserved communities, but I also get to proclaim the kingdom of God, and this brings me great joy and fulfillment.”
HOW ENT CARE TRANSFORMS LIVES One child whose life has been dramatically changed thanks to the improved ENT care at CURE Zambia is four-year-old Bridget, who had a tumor in her throat and on her tongue. With this condition, Bridget struggled to eat and talk. The tumor forced her tongue out of its usual position, making Bridget open her mouth most of the time. Furthermore, this took away Bridget’s beautiful smile. But thankfully, she made it to CURE Zambia, where she received life-transforming surgical care from our ENT department. Today Bridget can once again eat and talk with no issues, and she also got back her incredible smile. In partnership with CBM, CURE Zambia is dedicated to making more strides toward improving ENT medical care and serving more children like Bridget with ENT needs.
Dr. Haben shares a light moment with his patient, Bridget, during her check-up.
Annual Report 2023 | 9
DANNY’S JOURNEY TO STRAIGHT LEGS
W
hen Daniel—or Danny, as he calls himself—was younger, people told his mother that his severely curved legs were because he was a little chubby. But Danny’s mother, Plexidus, knew something was wrong with her son. She took him to a local clinic, where doctors diagnosed him with bowed legs, an often painful condition where the legs bend out at the knees. Danny grew up in a village where bowed legs were rare, and people would laugh and make fun of him. This bubbly and inquisitive boy was hurt by the comments, which stressed the whole family. His condition also caused physical pain and limited his mobility. “Danny hasn’t started school yet because school is too far for him to walk in his condition without experiencing pain,” says Plexidus. LEARNING TO COPE
Before treatment at CURE Zambia, Danny’s bowed legs held him back from playing like other children.
10 | Annual Report 2023
After losing hope of ever finding help for her son, Plexidus embarked on a journey of accepting his condition. She joined a support group designed specifically to provide emotional and educational support for parents of children living with disabilities. While at the support group, Plexidus met a nun who advised her to seek surgical care at CURE Zambia.
For the first time, Plexidus was filled with hope that her son might one day have straight legs and walk without pain. She and Danny made the trip to CURE Zambia and were warmly welcomed by the hospital’s staff. Dr. Moyo examined Danny’s legs and scheduled him for surgery. After a month-long wait, Dr. Moyo finally operated on his right leg. Two weeks later, he operated on Danny’s left leg and put casts on both legs for support. After Danny spent a few days in the ward, Dr. Moyo discharged him.
Dr. Moyo performs corrective surgery on Danny’s bowed legs.
When Danny returned to CURE Zambia a month later, his casts were removed and he immediately started physical therapy to learn how to use his newly straightened legs. To prevent the condition from recurring, Dr. Moyo also put pins in his legs that were later removed. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Today Danny is seven years old and in first grade. Now, after his surgeries, he can run, walk, climb trees, and even play football with friends without experiencing pain! “I have started going to school and am happy to be in school. I want to be a doctor like Dr. Moyo when I grow up,” Danny says. Danny’s family is overjoyed and thankful to God for using CURE Zambia to bring healing to Danny not only physically but also spiritually. “I still marvel at how the staff at CURE Zambia took care of us with so much joy and love. May God continue to bless you all and enable you to treat children,” Plexidus says.
Danny proudly stands tall on his newly straightened legs!
Annual Report 2023 | 11
SENIOR DIRECTOR TEAM Frida Kabaso Executive Director Dr. Giorgio Lastroni Medical Director Terence Kombe Spiritual Director
12 | Annual Report 2023
FY23 FINANCIAL SUMMARY Actual
Budget
Deviation
ZMW
ZMW
ZMW
%
Contributions
43,335,715
39,171,490
4,164,225
11%
Patient Revenue - Net of Discount
972,964
972,964
(647,036)
-40%
Other Ordinary Income
1,227,624
244,800
982,824
401%
Other Revenue
263,458
114,000
149,458
131%
Total Revenue
45,799,761
41,150,290
4,649,471
11%
Total Expenses
42,485,073
41,291,195
1,193,878
3%
Revenue before Depreciation & Other Revenue/(Expense)
3,314,688
(140,905)
3,455,593
Depreciation
(1,448,225)
(1,301,400)
(146,825)
Exchange Gain/(Loss)
(2,902,150)
Other Revenue/(Expense)
(4,350,375)
(1,301,400)
(3,048,975)
234%
Net Revenue/(Expenses)
(1,035,687)
(1,442,305)
406,618
-28%
11%
(2,902,150)
CURE Zambia staff gathered in front of the hospital
Annual Report 2023 | 13
PARTNERSHIPS
14 | Annual Report 2023
JOIN US REFER A CHILD If you know of a child who could benefit from the services offered by CURE Zambia, please contact us or bring the child to our clinic during planned hours. Our contact information and clinic hours are listed on the back cover.
GIVE All medical care is provided through the generous contributions of CURE donors, our nonprofit partners, and insurance programs. Children will be treated by our clinical team without charge or debt created. Please let us know if you are interested in sponsoring a child’s surgery.
PRAY We believe that God alone is the source of changed lives and transformed communities. Please join us in asking for God’s healing for the children we serve.
Annual Report 2023 | 15
Address Plot No. 34872A, Great N Rd, Lusaka, Zambia On-Site Clinic Schedule Monday-Friday: 8:00-17:00 Phone +260 977740163 or +260 977740166 Email info@curezambia.org Website zambia.cure.org Social facebook.com/curezambia instagram.com/cure_zambia 16 | Annual Report 2023