Kühn Foundation
Orthopedic Surgery for Africa
After retiring from his career, Thomas Kühn returned to Tanzania, his “2nd home” in East Africa. He recognised the population’s tremendous need for orthopedic care and trauma surgery.
This was the initial spark for his long-term social commitment to the people in this African country.
In 2018, he established the “Kühn Foundation” with the aim of improving orthopedic trauma care for the local population through his own medical work on site and through financial contributions.
WHY DO THE PEOPLE IN AFRICA NEED
Orthopedic Surgery?
LACK OF TRAUMA CARE
Unlike basic medical care such as general medicine, vaccinations and hunger relief, the fields of orthopedic care and especially the care for trauma patients after accidents have been largely neglected in the past.
In parallel to population growth and increasing mobility by bus, car and two-wheelers, accident rates have risen dramatically. Due to the lack of adequate medical care for persons injured in accidents, this has led to a rapid increase in traffic fatalities, disabilities and lasting inability to work.
PERMANENT DISABILITIES
In African hospitals outside the few metropolitan centres, the treatment of old, poorly healed bone fractures, pseudarthroses (unhealed fractures) or even bone suppurations due to poor hygiene in the operating room are a typical part of everyday work.
All too often, reconstruction is no longer possible and limbs must be amputated. Unfortunately, the patients are often left with permanent disability and inability to work.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
OUR GOALS
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
through the volunteer work of European doctors, training of local staff in hygiene, surgical techniques and operative as well as conservative orthopedic care
MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS
Creation of a medical supply warehouse at SC Clinic Mwanza from where to provide the hospitals with surgical instruments, operating tables, X-ray equipment, pharmaceuticals and consumables
COOPERATION
with SC Clinic in Mwanza, as well as continuous trauma and orthopedic care at Wasso Hospital, a satellite institute of SC Clinic. By now, a few more clinics in East Africa have joined the cooperation.
INFRASTRUCTURE
A vehicle has been purchased to provide transportation to the hospital and the field clinics.
WHAT DRIVES US?
OUR MISSION
The Kühn Foundation aims to improve the situation in African hospitals within the scope of its possibilities. The cornerstones of our commitment are knowledge transfer through the volunteer work of European doctors, training of local staff in hygiene, surgical techniques and operative as well as conservative orthopedics. We also work on providing the hospitals with surgical instruments, operating tables, X-ray equipment, medication and medical consumables.
HELP US HELP
The foundation was initially established with the founder’s own money, but for our continuing activities we are dependent on donations. In-kind donations such as surgical instruments and medical equipment are also very welcome. We are also very grateful for second-hand equipment in good condition, for instance for surgery, X-ray, sterilization and ultrasound. Please contact us in advance.
WHAT DO WE NEED
TO REACH OUR GOALS?
– COMMITMENT
– MANPOWER
(ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE INITIATIVES
–SUPPORT THROUGH FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS & EQUIPMENT
– DONATIONS
– PUBLIC RELATIONS WORK
(LECTURES, CONTACTS WITH INDUSTRY)
– TRAINING
(EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIALISTS)
Thomas Kühn, MD
Specialist doctor in orthopaedics and trauma surgery, outpatient surgery, sports medicine, chiropractic therapy, social medicine, rehabilitation
Seat of „Kuehn Foundation“
Schweidnitzallee 17
88400 Biberach
Germany