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Dr. Thomas Tonniges Helps Structure Pediatric Care in Kosova

In 2001, Thomas Tonniges, M.D., Director of Boys Town Pediatrics, made his first trip to Kosova to help revitalize the deteriorating medical community. Since that time, Dr. Tonniges has made 4 additional missionary trips to this traditionally Moslem society. He has spent at least one week in the hospitals training and lecturing physicians, tending to patients, and working with community leaders to develop strategic plans to improve the quality of medical care for children.

Due to the Albanian and Serbian conflict from 1993-1999, all Albanian Kosvar physicians were forced out of their hospitals and child health hit an all-time low. Dr. Tonniges suggested that the poor pediatric care was due to the lack of medical drugs and medical equipment in the country.

As a part of the strategic plan, Dr. Tonniges and his wife, Jane Tonniges, RN, worked with Abbott Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company in the United States to provide pharmaceutical drugs to the University Hospital in Kosova, where 11,000 babies are born each year. He then developed a collaborative with Dartmouth College to improve training and education of health professionals.  Since January 2007 more than 300 newborn lives have been saved.

“The improvements in pediatric care have been overwhelming,” said Dr. Tonniges. The infant mortality rate has decreased from 57/1000 in 2001 to 17/1000 in 2007. “The babies in the nursery have a higher birth weight, better color and are overall healthier when they are born,” said Dr. Tonniges.

In addition to tending to the immediate and basic medical needs, Dr. Tonniges has been involved in developing Rotary International in Kosova.  With Kosova’s status still unresolved politically and peace preserved by UN forces, this was no small task.  Since 2005, 5 clubs have been started, projects initiated, and 2 students are currently in Omaha as a part of Rotary’s student exchange program.

Dr. Tonniges plans to continue his mission by visiting the country annually to work on developing systems of care including immunizations and public health care plans for infants and children in out of home care. He is in the process of raising funds to purchase an ultrasound machine to advance prenatal care.

“The medical professionals of Kosova are very supportive of the help we can offer,” said Dr. Tonniges. “As one doing international work, I always get more out of it then what I give. I have been humbled and honored to be able to share my medical experience with such a gracious society.”