In recognition of its dedication and hard work, ACHI was awarded:
1. A Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Governor’s Citation
2. An Official Citation from the Massachusetts State Senate 3. A Certificate of Appreciation from Health Care For All and Dr. JudyAnn Bigby,
Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
According to World Health Organization reports, nearly half of
deaths due to infectious diseases globally, occur in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Particularly, of all the people infected globally
by various diseases, 89% of those infected by malaria, 77% of HIV/AIDS patients and 31% of Tuberculosis patients, in
Sub-Saharan Africa die of these diseases.
There is a large population of Sub-Saharan Africans domiciled here in Massachusetts. The African Community Health Initiatives
(ACHI) has stepped up to help, not only to provide appropriate education, but has increasingly become a conduit through which
people of African descent are sought after, screened for health insurance, health/social service needs, and assisted with
application/referral to appropriate health/social service providers.
ACHI also assists in the enrollment of clients in the Massachusetts state health insurance plans, namely, MassHealth and Commonwealth
Care.
We are pleased to note that ACHI’s resources are channeled towards HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other
tropical diseases’ education, in an effort to combat these diseases among some of the so-called “at risk groups”
of African immigrants in Massachusetts.
ACHI has developed co-operative linkages with health care providers and the various African community groups in Massachusetts.
This approach enables us to reach out to the “silent partners” with health issues, and facilitate access to health and
health related services.
ACHI is a 501 c 3 organization (non-profit) that was founded in 2000 to improve the health of the African community in Massachusetts.
Vision
Our vision is to build a healthy Sub-Saharan Community with access to all Health and Social services.
Mission
Statement
The
African Community Health Initiative’s mission is to support and improve the health* of Sub-Saharan Africans living
in Massachusetts by promoting access to quality, culturally competent health and social services through education, research
and community partnerships.
Goals
The
goals of ACHI are to: 1. Improve access to and utilization of health
and health-related services for people from
Sub-Saharan Africa. 2. Work with healthcare and social service
providers to promote and improve cultural competence. 3. Promote research by ACHI and other research
organizations aimed at identifying the health issues affecting
the Sub-Saharan African community. 4. Identify and mobilize resources to achieve
the goals of ACHI.
Board
of Directors:
Anne
Medinus, PhD Chairperson, Wilner Borgella, Esq. Treasurer
Fatuma Ndagire, MA Secretary Abiodun Sobowale, MA Salamatu Mambula,PhD Getachew Habteh-Yimer, MA Teye Adusu, DVM Tony Amoah, MA,
Sponsors:
ACHI is sponsored by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Words from our Sponsor
"The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is proud to have been one of the first organizations to support
African Community Health Initiatives. In just a few short years, their efforts have had a large impact on how African immigrants in
Massachusetts access health care. They have also helped many local hospitals and health centers better respond to the needs of this important community."
Phillip O. González, Director of Grantmaking for the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Who
Qualifies for ACHI’s Help?
Any
person of African origin who lives in Massachusetts
Membership:
A
member is anyone who is interested in promoting ACHI’s
mission and registers and participates in scheduled ACHI meetings,
events and activities.
