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Endocrine Southern Africa Trust was founded in Zimbabwe by Dr Heriet Mhondiwa after learning about the plight of children living with a rare condition called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). In simple terms, this means that the body does not self-produce a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s response to stress (this means that when a child is sick, they do not have a natural stress management hormone) and without life long medication they will die.
The condition is life threatening. In Zimbabwe babies born with this life-
threatening condition need access to regular medication and quality
healthcare, so they are able to live a happy and healthy life. Because
CAH is an endocrine condition, ESAT is concerned with all rare endocrine
conditions including but not limited to:
People in Zimbabwe living with rare endocrine disorders face an acute crisis in accessing necessary care. Private health insurers typically refuse coverage for these conditions due to the high associated risks and costs, making lifelong medication financially impossible for most. Patients are left with the stark choice of self-funding or seeking charity. The limited support available from international, disease-specific groups is inconsistent and falls far short of what is needed ESAT is a Zimbabwean-based TRUST registered on 3 December 2024. The Trust is dedicated to ensuring children with rare endocrine conditions can lead a high quality of life, with access to essential medication and opportunities, allowing them to enjoy the same daily experiences as their peers.
