The collaboration between K2 Adventures Foundation and NSK Hospital in Arusha, Tanzania for their Pediatric Center is historic.
NSK Hospital has built a state-of-the-art Pediatric Center with new, modern equipment including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a Pediatric Unit, and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This Pediatric Center is desperately needed for the families and children in Tanzania. They also have state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment on site including a CT scan machine, MRI machine, Ultrasound machine and general radiological equipment, so families no longer need to endure long travel for the diagnostic studies that their children need.
A special message from Dr. Rahul Chawla:
“As a Board Member of K2 Adventures Foundation, I have had the privilege of traveling with K2 to Tanzania since 2017. I have had the opportunity to treat hundreds of children and adults during our medical service trips and have been fortunate to work alongside and teach their local doctors and medical students, as well as students that travel with us from the U.S. about Pediatric Critical Care.
I am a Pediatric Intensive Care Physician in Arizona and recognized that a U.S. style PICU would greatly benefit the children of Tanzania. K2 Adventures Foundation has always been very supportive of this idea. When we started our collaboration with NSK Hospital in 2021 and discovered they had plans to open a PICU, we knew immediately that we had found the right partners. During a meeting at NSK Hospital in March of 2022, I was surprised and humbled by Kristen and Kevin when they stated they wanted to start a K2 Medical Fund. This would provide funding for pediatric care for any child who could not afford it while they are being treated at NSK Hospital. I was deeply touched when they went further to state that they wanted to name the newly built PICU after me.
In July of 2022, in the company of several K2 Adventures Foundation Board Members, including one of my daughters, I witnessed the opening of the Dr. Rahul Chawla Pediatric ICU at NSK Hospital. It has been one of the highlights of my professional life. I look forward to growing the PICU and elevating the level of pediatric care to the children of Tanzania, along with K2 Adventures Foundation and our partners at NSK Hospital.”