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It all began in January of 2011, when several doctors and nurses volunteered their time and expertise, traveled to Nigeria, and participated in the first medical mission to Ejemekwuru, Imo State, Nigeria. This first team of medical practitioners provided medical care to over 600 patients for the first time in their lives.  After evaluating the overwhelming suffering and loss of lives due to lack of basic nutrition and medical care, MaryCare determined that Ejemekwuru was the prime location for a medical facility. The MaryCare health center was officially commissioned January 12, 2016. Today, we have a full-service facility in operation with four rooms, a patient ward, and an open reception area for outpatient care (though it often flows out into the front of the building)..

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At present, we have a  medical doctor (Thursdays 9-4), two nurses, one nurse’s aide, one domestic staff, and a director of operations (Monday—Friday) treating patients. We are committed to recruiting locally when possible. We are in a constant need of equipping and supplying our facility and do what we can with what we can scavenge from hospitals around the U.S. (retired stock, equipment, supplies, etc.)   and ship them to our clinic abroad.

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It was the desire of Founder Anne Bates to provide our services free-of-charge to our patients—in the hope encouraging them to seek the medical attention they so desperately need. With this spirit in mind, our patients pay only a modest registration fee (equivalent to $1.30).  With that, they are able to obtain a medical card which allows them to consult with one of our Marycare doctors and collect their medications at no additional cost. Patients who are unable to pay the registration fee are not turned away of course—everybody is treated no matter their ability to pay.

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