American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR) is dedicated to improving the health of people in impover-ished areas of the Middle East.

We focus on maternal and newborn care, children’s health, trauma and urgent care, and health and hygiene education. We also work to prevent communicable diseases, address mental health issues, and create a reliable supply of essential medica-tions for those in need.

With support, funding, and over-sight from AMOR, medical facilities are developed and operated by local residents to meet the unique needs in their communities. Our model of care is one of long-term em-powerment rather than short-term intervention.

AMOR is a donor-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Dona-tions are tax deductible. More than 85¢ of every dollar donated goes directly to hospital operations

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Primary Care residenCy Program Trains Female Physicians

In some areas of Afghanistan, the religious ideology of gender separation is so deeply ingrained, a husband would rather let his wife die in childbirth than allow a male physician to treat her. Female healthcare providers are essential in areas with these types of traditions.

During the Taliban’s rule, women were banned from employment and only 3% of girls received any form of primary education. As a result, there is a severe shortage of female health care providers in Afghanistan today. Most Afghan women give birth at home without medical assistance. One in four die of complications related to pregnancy such as poor nutrition, proper hygiene, bleeding, infection, hypertension, and obstructed labor.

Afshar Hospital is working to save Afghan women’s lives on many fronts. In addition to its labor and delivery department, the hospital offers a 3-year primary care residency- training program. Each year, from an application process, the four most qualified applicants are accepted into the residency program, which is operated in conjunction with Hope Partnership

International. The program is a U.S. model with residency program working under the supervision of a U.S. trained physician and three Afghan attending physicians.First-year residents are paid $800 per month and given stethoscopes, cell phones, and PDAs with medical and pharmaceutical diagnostic and treatment software. At the end of the 3-year program, residents graduate with a certificate of completion and through an agreement with AMOR are committed to stay in Afghanistan to continue improving the level of care throughout the country.

Three female physicians are currently enrolled in the Afshar Hospital primary care residency program. The hospital’s goal for the residency program is to improve quality of medical care and contribute to rebuilding the healthcare delivery system in Afghanistan. Donations are helping Afshar Hospital expand its primary care residency program and train more female physicians. You can help save Afghan women’s lives by donating online today at www.AMORelief.org

PAMERICAN MEDICAL OVERSEAS RELIEF VOL. 1 | ED. 3

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAIDFRESNO CAPERMIT NO. 313

Fundriaser at Downing Planetarium Raises $34,450 for Afshar Hospital

Afshar Hospital still needs the following medical supplies and

equipment. Recently, the Afghan government banned the import

of used medical equipment. That means AMOR must buy new

equipment to meet the hospital’s needs.

• $4,000 ultrasound machine

• $15,000 neonatal intensive care unit

• $44,500 in electrical equipment to connect to city

water and power

• Speaking engagements for Dr. Scoffield (for groups

of any size, Dr. Scoffield is a passionate speaker with

firsthand stories about the challenges of building and

operating a privately funded hospital in Afghanistan)

• $20,000 for surgical suite specifically for C-sections

• Thousands of people who will make monthly (or one-

time) donations on their credit cards; even $5 or $10

per month is a big help. You can donate online at

www.AMORelief.org

the doctors at Afshar Hospital with better diagnostic capabilities which, in turn, will improve the quality of care the hospital delivers.

Every month, Afshar Hospital spends more than $30,000 to keep basic medications in stock. If 3,000 generous people signed up to donate $10 per month on their credit cards, Afshar Hospital would have a reliable source of income to cover these medication costs.

Signing up for AMOR’s monthly donation program is quick and easy. Visit our website at www. AMOR and click on the “donate online” button. You’ll have the option of making a one-time contribution or signing up to make monthly credit card contributions.

You can also create a private account on the AMOR website. With an account, you’ll be able to manage your monthly donations. By logging in, you can increase or decrease the amount charged to your credit card each month, or you can stop monthly donations entirely. We hope you’ll consider this option of support and sign up for monthly donations today.

We’ve entered our fall fundraising season so I’ve been traveling around the country meeting new people and telling the Afshar Hospital story. It’s amazing to see people respond with such compassion and generosity. When they hear about the conditions in Afghanistan, they immediately want to help. One anonymous donor pledged to give the hospital a neonatal intensive care unit. Another drove all the way from Alameda to attend a fundraising event in Fresno. Everyday, people offer to open doors, make connections, and help out in anyway they can.

At the moment, one of our most pressing needs is a connection to city power. Currently, Afshar Hospital is powered by two generators that are starting to wear out after running 24/7. Fuel costs for the generators averages $10,000 to $15,000 per month. If we can connect to city power, our monthly electrical costs will be cut in half. The electrical equipment that’s needed for this connection will cost $44,500. If anyone has connections that can help us with this need, we would be very grateful.

In the near future, I’ll be making another trip to Kabul. I look forward to bringing back more firsthand stories of patients whose lives have been improved thanks to medical care from Afshar Hospital. In the meantime, I’ve been humbled by so many offers of help and support. Your generosity is what keeps me going and makes my job so richly rewarding.

Ceo humbled and insPired by donors generosiTy

By Dr. Mark Scoffield, AMOR Chief Executive Officer

More than 175 people attended a fundraiser for Afshar Hospital on Thursday, September 16, at the Downing Planetarium & Museum on the Fresno State campus. The event raised $34,450 for American Medical Overseas Relief (AMOR), which supports and operates Afshar Hospital. Guests enjoyed hands-on science exhibits in the museum, a silent auction, and the planetarium show. Before the show, Dr. Mark Scoffield, AMOR’s Chief Executive Officer, talked about some of the lives Afshar Hospital has saved.

The AMOR staff was especially touched by the Afghan woman who drove all the way from Alameda to attend the Fresno event. From personal experience, she knows how

great the need is in Afghanistan. She wanted to show her support for the work that Afshar Hospital is doing to provide Afghan women and children with basic medical care.

Thanks to You, Afshar Hospital Now Has a

Teaching Microscope

Generous donors from around the country made it possible for us to buy a teaching microscope for Afshar Hospital. The microscope has two eyepieces – one for the instructor and one for a doctor-in-training. The microscope provides

Your Monthly Donations Make a Difference!

It takes about $2 million each year to operate Afshar Hospital. Several philanthropists provided the initial funding to build and open the hospital. In the years ahead, these philanthropists want to see AMOR become self-sufficient. For 2010, AMOR’s fundraising goal is $400,000. Despite the tough economy, AMOR is making good progress towards this goal. There are four things you can do to help AMOR make a difference in the lives of Afghan mothers and children:

1. Visit our website at www. AMORelief.org and donate online.2. Organize a fundraising event in your community. Every dollar raised will help

meet Afshar Hospital’s needs.3. Start a local “Friends of AMOR” network in your community. Help us raise

awareness about the deplorable conditions in Afghanistan. Encourage people to do what they can to prevent Afghan women and children from dying of treatable diseases like diarrhea or infection.

4. Encourage your local organization to host an evening where Dr. Mark Scoffield will share his first hand experiences about the hospital and provide insights into the challenges of operating a hospital in Afghanistan.

Help Make A Difference In the Lives of Afghan Mothers and Children:AMOR’s 2010 Fundriaisng Goal: $400,000

Afshar Hospital’s Wish List: