News from the association
Knowledge that protects lives
In early November, a seven-member team of doctors, midwives, and nursing professionals was deployed in Mendefera, Eritrea. The goal was to further improve medical care for mothers as well as premature and newborn infants and to strengthen obstetric and neonatal care in the long term.
Christmas Ahead – “On Course” Is Here
December invites us to pause – and look back with gratitude on what we have been able to achieve together. Fittingly, the new edition of our newsletter “On Course” has been published!
Two Hearts, One Chance
They are only nine months old, identical twins – two girls, two identical diagnoses, but without treatment hardly any future. With this dramatic initial situation, the children were presented in October 2025 to the international cardiac surgery team at Orotta Hospital Asmara. The twins suffered from a severe congenital heart defect. This had already led to pulmonary overload and significant growth impairment.
Naomi’s battle against cancer
At the beginning of August, Archemed received an urgent plea for help from Eritrea: two-year-old Naomi had fallen ill with a retinoblastoma—a malignant tumor of the retina that, if left untreated, can lead to blindness or even death. Since then, Archemed has been accompanying the little girl and her mother on their difficult but hopeful journey.
12 Days, 7 Volunteers, 71 Children – First Autumn Mission
A seven-member team of pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses from Bremen traveled to Eritrea again in early September with project leader Prof. Dr. Christian Lorenz, former head physician of the Clinic for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the Bremen Hospital Association (Gesundheit Nord gGmbH). During the twelve-day mission, the specialists were able to examine a total of 95 children and provide surgical treatment for 71 of them.
ARCHEMED is “On Course”
ARCHEMED is embarking on a new journey with a new name, a new logo, and new premises.
Neonatal Ward in Asmara: Technology, Training, and Team Spirit
Modernization requires training and instruction: Following extensive renovation, the neonatal ward at Orotta Hospital in Asmara was able to be reoccupied in spring 2025. After the relocation, a medical mission followed, focusing particularly on training in the use of the new medical technology.
“What has been created here is a real gem”
An interview with Dr. Renate Turan and Norbert Kessler on the reopening of the neonatology department in Asmara
48 children receive medical aid
A ten-member team of surgeons, orthopedists, anesthetists, and nurses traveled again to Tosamaganga Hospital in Tanzania in mid-February. Under the leadership of Dr. Naim Farhat, Chief Physician of Pediatric Surgery at Johanniter-Kliniken Hamm, the specialists worked in two teams and were able to provide surgical care to a total of 48 children during the 16-day mission.
Children with cancer are given a chance at life
Until now, there has been no possibility to treat children with cancer in Eritrea. Each year, an estimated 500 children are diagnosed with cancer there – previously without any medical care. Thanks to Archemed’s commitment and the support of the RTL Foundation, the country’s first pediatric oncology unit was opened on February 13, 2025, under the project leadership of Prof. Dr. Uta Dirksen from University Hospital Essen.
Mother-and-child clinic brings new hope
Medical care, especially in rural Afghanistan, is critical. According to the UN Humanitarian Assistance Report 2024, more than 18.1 million people in the provinces have no access to basic medical care. Against this backdrop, Archemed will continue its commitment in Afghanistan. Together with the Afghan Women’s Association (registered association), Archemed will open a mother-and-child day clinic in Kariz Mir in Kabul Province in April.
Relief supplies to the front lines
Together with “Ukraine-Hilfe Delbrück,” the association ARCHEMED – Ärzte für Kinder in Not e. V. launched the first aid convoy of 2025 to Ukraine. The relief supplies reached the cities of Lviv, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. Nine drivers covered a total of 4,700 kilometers in seven days.