Dear Friends,
Greetings from Seattle where COVID-19 continues to reach into our communities. I hope this newsletter finds you and your families well. I am seeing God at work as I have stepped out of retirement to partner with our local Department of Health in group home settings where little resource is available. I think of our partners in Congo often as they have taught me so much about perseverance, trust in God, and how to make something out of almost nothing. In this newsletter you will read about their preparatory process and how you can pray, donate, and share their need as they prepare for the possible arrival of COVID-19. Our purpose is to keep you updated on what God is doing and ask for your continued prayers. We recognize that for some of you this is a time of unexpected financial stress. Others are still able to generously give and so we also want to share opportunities for you to give toward ministry in DR Congo as you are able. We are thankful for each of you as our partners in ministry!
Our God is faithful and we will continue to be His hands and feet.
In Service Together,
Ann Hagensen RN
PCP Medical Ambassador, Volunteer President
2 Thess. 1: 11 & 12
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Happy National Nurses Week!
To all of the nurses here in the US, in DR Congo, and all around the globe, we are incredibly grateful for the work, skill, sacrifice, and care you provide to us, especially now. You are valued and you are loved!
Merci mingi!
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Medical Ambassadors Respond to COVID-19
As cases of COVID-19 first appeared in Kinshasa, the Medical Ambassador Steering Team (MST) met virtually to discuss an early response to the potential crisis of COVID-19 coming to densely populated areas of Congo. Currently there are no cases of COVID-19 in the Ubangi-Mongala provinces where the CEUM resides, but experience and knowledge of the capacity of our medical partners in Congo led the team to believe a small amount of unrestricted funds were urgently needed to cover initial concerns over PPE, hand-washing stations, and how to isolate and treat new cases arriving at the hospitals if and when cases appear.
As a result, on April , PCP sent $5,000 to the CEUM Medical Team to use toward a COVID-19 preparedness plan and we are currently accepting donations for this effort. In addition, Covenant World Relief sent $3,000 to the CEUM for emergency response needs through the Covenant COVID relief campaign.
The CEUM Medical Staff will divide up the funds as appropriate between the five hospitals. Dr. Gado, the CEUM Medical Director, challenged each hospital to come up with their own appropriate plan using Karawa Hospital as a model:
- Set up needs for isolation wards and triage protocols
- Hand-washing stations in more locations in the hospitals
- Masks, gloves, and other Personal Protective Equipment
- Communication/Education materials for Dr. Deambi to present to local residents on the Karawa radio station regarding hand washing, coughing, social distancing, and COVID-19 symptoms.
Fortunately, the potential massive spike in cases was not seen in April as expected. As of today, May 6, the DRC has seen 797 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with only 35 deaths. These cases have concentrated in Kinshasa and three provinces in eastern Congo. The current rate of new cases have typically been around 20 new cases a day. Last week saw two unusually high days, so PCP will continue to monitor the situation. Cases have not been reported in Gemena or the other areas of NW Congo served by the CEUM.
Source: CSSE at Johns Hopkins University
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Making Masks in Congo
Marta Klein, PA and PCP Medical Ambassador, discussed with Dr. Gado (CEUM Medical Director) the idea of making cloth masks for the healthcare workers in the region. With his encouragement, she has hired 4 tailors and has a goal of making 1,800 cloth masks for the healthcare workers at the 5 hospitals, more than 100 clinics, and a number of health outposts. Marta and Dr. Deambi, the Director of Training, have completed two training sessions about the virus with deacons and pastors in the Karawa area. Other regions have begun similar educational trainings.
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Ophthalmology Training
Désireé ATONGA NDELE and Matthieu KANGI KAFI are two nurses from the Karawa area who were chosen by the CEUM to attend a three year training program in ophthalmology. These two individuals were chosen based on the integrity of their Christian walk, high intellect, and commitment to the return to the Karawa area where they have family. These nurses will receiving training in Kinshasa and will return to Karawa to carry on eye care for the general population that ceased in 2017 when the only trained ophthalmologist in the area passed away. Several Medical Ambassadors and another donor contributed funds for the first year of training. However, due to COVID-19 the training program has been delayed.
Through gifts from several generous donors, the first year of their training ($21,600) has been funded! PCP is seeking $16,200 each year for the second and third years of their training program (total $32,400). If you would like to learn more about the two nurses and how to support them, click here.
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Matthieu, bottom right, with his family in Karawa.
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Nursing Dorm Rehab Update
The ISTM (college) and ITM (high-school) nursing student dorms rehab project has been completed, with the exception of solar power. ITM dorms await solar lighting by Gaspy, but the materials have been held up in Kinshasa due COVID-19 restrictions. Once a budget has been revised for the ISTM dorm, we will work toward funding their solar power needs. Thank you to Ann Hagensen, PCP Medical Ambassador President, for leading this effort and to everyone who supported this project!
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Training the Trainers Continues with New Courses
The Medical Ambassadors are preparing two courses to be taught this fall, either through materials sent to Congo or by Ambassadors traveling to Congo depending on international travel restrictions. One course will be “Essential Care for Small Babies” and the other will be “Essential Care for Labor and Delivery," which are extensions of the previous Pediatric Care courses and Maternal Care courses. Both areas now have Master Trainers to teach these courses to all the areas of the CEUM.
A team of Ambassadors will begin creating a plan and training module this summer for Hypertension and Diabetes. Doctors have seen a rise in both conditions in the past few years which has impacted many adults in the areas served by the CEUM. Few resources have been committed to these diseases by international donors, therefore the CEUM has come to the Medical Ambassadors for assistance.
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Everything you ever wanted to know about our Medical Ambassador program can be found in our new booklet, Becoming A Medical Ambassador. Download the booklet, learn more online, or contact us! We are happy to answer any questions you may have. |
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