Medical Award Will Expand Care for Children in Tanzania
A new grant will support diagnostic and rehabilitation services for children living with disabilities and epilepsy.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Special Needs
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On October 1, 2026, the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung will award €250,000 to Sister Dr. Sarah Kahumbya Deogratius. This funding aims to increase access to specialized medical care and rehabilitation for children with disabilities, particularly those affected by epilepsy.
Why it matters
Expanding these services helps combat the social stigmatization and exclusion often faced by children with epilepsy in underserved regions. The initiative aims to provide essential, long-term support for physical health and daily functioning.
The Cardinal Rugambwa Hospital rehabilitation program served 1,400 children in 2025, where 70% to 80% of patients presented with epilepsy. This project builds on established diagnostic and therapeutic care frameworks.
The players
Sister Dr. Sarah Kahumbya Deogratius
The Medical Director of Cardinal Rugambwa Hospital who specializes in expanding rehabilitation services for children.
Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
A private foundation based in Bad Homburg that funds medical research and humanitarian projects with an annual volume of 90 million euros.
Cardinal Rugambwa Hospital
A medical facility in Dar es Salaam providing specialized rehabilitation and epilepsy care for pediatric patients.
Lutheran Hospital Alsterdorf
A Hamburg-based healthcare provider that has partnered with Cardinal Rugambwa Hospital since 2019 to improve specialized medical services.
The details
The initiative integrates medical diagnostics with physiotherapy and occupational therapy tailored to each child's needs. By training local healthcare workers and increasing community outreach, the program bridges critical gaps in care. The planned expansion will introduce an inpatient rehabilitation wing to provide more intensive, continuous treatment options.
Timeline
Sister Dr. Sarah Kahumbya Deogratius has been Medical Director at CRH since 2016.
The partnership with Lutheran Hospital Alsterdorf began in 2019.
The rehabilitation department supported 1,400 children during 2025.
The award ceremony is scheduled for October 1, 2026, in Berlin.
Health Landscape
This award highlights the ongoing evolution of global health initiatives that move beyond short-term aid toward integrated hospital partnerships. It marks a shift toward building permanent diagnostic and rehabilitation capacity for children with chronic neurological conditions.
For families managing pediatric epilepsy or disabilities, these developments emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and multi-disciplinary rehabilitation. Discuss with your doctor how local community health programs can provide access to physical therapy and consistent medication management.
The takeaway
Integrated rehabilitation and medical care are crucial for improving outcomes for children with complex needs. Families should track changes in neurological symptom patterns and consistently consult specialists about new therapy and diagnostic availability in their region.
Further reading
Learn more about the Special Needs landscape and evolving standards of care for families.
More information
Find further details on the project mission at the humanitarian award information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Informationdienst Wissenschaft e.V. - idw.
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