Hope Is Rising!
Greetings *|FNAME|*!
Hope is rising! I cling to Hebrews 6:10 these days, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you helped His people and continue to help them.”
The Medical Steering Team of the PCP Medical Ambassadors has been communicating with our friends and partners in DR Congo the past 18 months. We have been sharing best practices in the treatment of COVID-19 in their environment and sending supplies. We have shared our sincere heavy hearts for the inequity of vaccination distribution to majority world countries. The nursing community had a wonderful celebration of International Nurses Day on May 12, 2021. What a source of encouragement to be together honoring their dedication and supporting one another. Here is what is on the horizon for your prayers and consideration:
- PCP Leadership team and the new CEUM Leaders meeting in DR Congo in August
- PCP Medical Ambassadors team in Maternal Child Care and leadership trainings in DR Congo from September 1-17, 2021
- Mark your calendars for the PCP Medical Ambassadors Retreat in two formats:
- In Person Retreat in Chicago: October 22-24, 2021
- Virtual Retreat: November 12-13, 2021 (similar to the fall 2020 retreat)
Thanking God together,
Ann Hagensen RN
Volunteer President of PCP Medical Ambassadors
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Neonatal Deaths on the Decline
The CEUM Medical team has made gradual improvements over the past four years in decreasing the neonatal mortality rates from 5.5/1,000 live births to 2.7/1,000 live births. Many factors have contributed to this decline, including practical adjustments in healthcare services and the integration of PCP Medical Ambassador trainings such as Helping Babies Breathe and Essential Care for Every Newborn. The Master Trainers have undoubtedly been key to the broad distribution of these trainings in the region.
Jonas Yundonago and Alphonse Nbombe are the two Pediatric Master Trainers. Both were chosen by the CEUM to become the primary trainers for all Pediatric courses. They are charged with training all the nurses in all four Health Zones and about 60 individual CEUM Health Center nurses.
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Jonas, shown on his motorcycle, is the long-standing nurse overseeing the Bonudana Health Center (about 7.5 miles northeast of Karawa Hospital). He has served faithfully there for many years, gaining the respect of the community and the different international organizations working in the area. He was chosen by one organization focusing on malaria, to provide the oversight of all new cases of malaria in the area. His responsibility was to help detect any regional increase in malaria needing additional assistance from the DR Congo Ministry of Health to manage a sudden outbreak of new cases.
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As a natural teacher, it is obvious why the CEUM chose Jonas as a Master Trainer. He is a soft spoken, effective, and organized trainer among his peers. As a quick learner and good processor of information, he imparts knowledge and skill to all of his nurse colleagues. This training is paramount in improving the chances for children and infants in northwest DR Congo to live long and healthy lives. Photo: Jonas (pictured in foreground) observing a trainee on proper umbilical cord care after birth.
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Resource Group Highlights
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The Nursing Resource Group contributed T-shirts and pins to help celebrate International Nurses Day on May 12, 2021. Karawa Hospital hosted a major celebration recognizing the important work of the CEUM nurses (see images above).
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The Diabetes/Hypertension Resource Group has begun dialog with their Congolese counterparts to help establish a comprehensive approach to managing the rising number of new cases of diabetes and hypertension in DR Congo. The CEUM Medical Team has noted this is an area of increasing concern for several years. New cases of diabetes went from 107 in 2017 to 199 in 2020. The CEUM reported 3,116 new cases of hypertension in 2017 with an increase to 4,769 new cases in 2020.
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Emergency Department Resource Group
The completion of the new Pediatric Ward at Karawa Hospital has freed up the old Pediatric Ward for use as an Emergency Department. The staff at Karawa have been engaged with Jerry Oliaro from the ED Resource Group on best set-up ideas.
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Other active Resource Groups: Nursing, Pediatrics, Maternal Care, Dental Care, Administration
Prospective Resource Groups looking for volunteers: Surgery and Anesthesiology, Eye Care
Contact us if you're interested in joining a Resource Group!
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Medical Ambassador Trip to Congo: September 2021
The PCP Medical Ambassadors are preparing to travel to DR Congo in September 2021. The team members are Craig Anderson, Eric Gunnoe, Ann Hagensen, Jim Walker, Marta Klein, Karen Goeke, and Kelly Shultz.
They will train nurses and medical staff at the hospital level in care for mothers and preterm infants to form perinatal teams at each hospital. The Ambassadors will also train in Quality Improvement through change management strategies and create a CEUM Medical Department/Medical Ambassadors Memorandum of Understanding. The team needs $9,300 for this trip to cover the cost of training materials, medical supplies, and associated travel costs. If you would like to contribute financially to the trip, please give online or mail a check to Paul Carlson Partnership at 8303 W. Higgins Rd, Chicago, Illinois 60631. Please make all checks out to Paul Carlson Partnership and note it is for the Medical Ambassadors Travel Fund.
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