Our sustainable design is customized for rural mothers and children.
Our mission to prevent tragic and unnecessary maternal and child deaths in rural Africa has forced us to address the scarcity of functioning health facilities. With 17+ years of experience taking care of mothers and babies, we have designed a custom prototype Maternal Mini-Clinic that can be economic to build in any Sub-Saharan village.
It provides space for birthing, C-sections, pre- and postnatal care and other critical maternal healthcare services. The structure will be built with local labor, local materials, and supply its own electricity and water.
Ngum Gerald Dinse of Sodaces, an architectural & engineering company in Cameroon, created a the original blueprint. Sadie Dempsey, a Master of Architecture student at Columbia University of New York, Graduate School of Architecture optimized the original plan.
The final drawings are being refined in Cameroon with medical input from board members Monica Shah and Nausheen Hakim.
Inspired by village life
Like an African village, the central courtyard will become a traditional gathering place with patients using the open outdoor space for consultations, prenatal visits and education.
Floor plan, Unite for Health prototype Maternal Mini-clinic Model (MMM).
100% SUSTAINABle
Dumbo, like many villages, has no plumbing or electricity so our building will be self-sustaining. Lights, computers, and equipment will be powered by solar panels on the roof and the mini-clinic supplied with water from a hole bored into the ground and a solar-powered pump.
3-D exterior view, Unite for Health prototype Maternal Mini-Clinic – sustainable features and building materials.
Care for pregnant women, mothers and children
The design incorporates a prenatal sonogram room, birthing rooms, a post-birthing room, a surgery for C-sections, post-surgery recovery rooms for mothers and babies, and overnight accommodation.
It has a lab, a pharmacy, and rooms for consulting, vaccinations, patient check-in and waiting, plus bathrooms and storage. Out of respect for local customs, it incorporates a private room to treat the village leader.
Our plans are IN PLACE
Our founder Elvis Ndansi and Unite for Health have a special relationship with the village of Dumbo in Misaje Subdivision in NW Cameroon. Elvis grew up there.
35 years ago, his mother, a nurse’s aide, was the only trained medical professional in the whole village. Everyone called her ‘Docta’. Back then, there were disturbing levels of maternal and infant mortality and sadly, nothing much has changed.
Our annual Shaa Festivals in Misaje has earned Elvis the trust of the Shaa Women Unions, as well as the other civic leaders. The Shaa women helped galvanize close to 400 young women and mothers to participate in our Maternal & Child Health Programs. Many women have lost more than one child under the age of 5. There are many families without mothers.
Looking ahead
We have purchased a plot of land in Dumbo, centrally located near the market, the church and the mosque, ideal for this Maternal Mini-Clinic. We are ready for construction to begin.
Our goal is to build this first prototype as a model for other underserved communities in Cameroon and beyond. Because we will immediately prevent many women and children from dying.
We are fundraising to start construction in 2026 and be fully operational 6-7 months later. Find out more or email us at info@unite4healthf.org
Thank you!
You can help build it.
GOLD FUNDER – YEAR 1 Construction:
$110,000
The prototype can either be named after you or will have a sign ‘Construction donated by XXXX’.
SILVER FUNDER – YEAR 1 Equipment:
$115,000
Donated by XXXX’ will be on a sign and on stickers attached to equipment and furniture.
YEAR 1 MEDICAL + LAB Supplies & consumables:
$106,000
‘Donated by XXXX’ will be on a sign and on stickers attached to medical items given to patients.
TOTAL: $221,000
BRONZE FUNDER – YEAR 1 Staffing & Operations:
$42,000
To recruit medical and administrative staff, pay salaries, utilities, software and services. ‘Operations funded by XXXX’ will be on a sign.
PLATINUM FUNDER – Gold, Silver + Bronze combined
DIAMOND Funder – Other custom combinations
Please contact us at info@unite4healthf.org for more information.