COVID-19
Despite not being able to have medical service trips, we continue to support the needs for healthcare in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Nigeria.
In Nigeria, care services didn’t stop even during the peak of COVID-19 for our partners at Providence Care in Amichi, Nigeria. While COVID-19 testing was inaccessible for this site, Providence Care took the following measures to ensure the safety of all patients and staff:
Provided face masks for patients and staff
Provided a bucket with tap water, soap, hand sanitizer and single use disposable gloves for each patient
Sanitization of arms before use of blood pressure measuring cuffs
Advisement on social distancing, respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene, face and nose masking
In Rivers State, Nigeria, our partner Bebor Model Nursery and Primary School has adapted their programming in response to a government order to shutdown all schools. While health program visits to these schools were postponed, Bebor has continued with a socially distanced version of their nutrition program in Bodo, Rivers State.
Child malnutrition and food insecurity have always been serious problems in this area, but have been greatly exacerbated by COVID-19. Because of this, Bebor has chosen to divert funding for the health program and student scholarships to go to the expansion of the nutrition program. This expansion includes two additional schools, which feed 150 more children. The health program will resume as schools reopen in Rivers State.
Your donations have supported:
An expansion of the socially distanced feeding program.
Funding for a new emergency wing of a clinic at Providence Care.
Funding the nutrition program at all three schools through March, 2021.
In Ecuador, care looks slightly different across our three sites.
In Napo, we have not been able to directly assist patients due to travel restrictions and limited healthcare capacity. Local health centers have continued operating with precautions including patient screenings and temperature checks before entry. Doctors have, however, suspended in-home medical visits to prevent COVID-19 transmission in the communities. Our partner, Sumak Kawsay Wasi has contributed emergency food kits to communities experiencing economic hardships due to lockdowns and restrictions. Additionally, we have been able to support communities alongside our partner through a COVID-19 prevention communication campaign through WhatsApp, text messages, social media, and radio programs. Additionally, we’ve donated PPE and medical supplies to the Ministry of Health to be distributed to health centers in this area.
In Santo Domingo, care continues, although access is challenging for most patients. Patients have been directed to local clinics as hospitals remain open for emergencies only. Our partner Hombro a Hombro is still able to provide modified services to patients, despite the hardships the pandemic has brought on. The clinic has additionally donated and delivered food to communities.
In Guangaje, despite transportation limitations, our health center staff has continued to conduct home visits and follow-up care with the most vulnerable patients including those with disabilities, chronic patients, and pregnant women and young children. The Ministry of Health, has had limited funds and resources, limiting their ability to provide care.
In Quito, Fundacion Tierra Nueva staff continue to monitor and care for the most vulnerable patients of the chronic care program by doing home visits while taking all necessary safety measures. They are dispensing medication to patients who are unable to mobilize to local healthcare centers and ensuring thorough follow-up with the support of the Community Health Workers from each community.
Your donations have supported:
The funding of medical supplies and PPE for clinic teams, health technicians, and patients.
The funding of food donations to communities.
Transportation to facilitate home visits.
In the Dominican Republic our partner, Banelino, has continued to provide care for chronic patients, pregnant women and their young children in Mao and Montecristi. Our two doctors, Nieves Hiciano and Mary Gomez, maintain regular communication with the local community health workers (CHWs) to continuously adapt and understand the communities’ changing needs during the pandemic.
Both doctors have telemedicine consults through WhatsApp, available Monday through Friday from 2:00 - 4:00pm. Our team in the field launched a biweekly WhatsApp communication campaign, providing up-to-date, reliable, accessible information about COVID-19 in both Spanish and Haitian Creole. As of September 1st, 48 total messages were sent over 20 weeks.
With the local Ministry of Health overwhelmed with COVID cases, it recently granted authorization for Banelino to offer and perform rapid COVID-19 tests in the Mao clinic. Both sites have been performing COVID-19 contact tracing and daily phone follow-ups with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases, and have been training the local community health workers (CHWs) on how to handle difficult situations in the communities as it relates to COVID-19 and the associated stigma for patients.
Your donations have supported:
The purchasing of PPE for 236 chronic patients between Mao and Montecristi.
PPE for Banelino health teams in Mao and Montecristi.
The purchase of digital pistol thermometers for each of the 5 CHWs.
Essential medications (purchased in the DR) for the chronic patients in both Mao and Montecristi.
Transportation, medications and specialized services for urgent, high need referrals.
Salaries for the 2 doctors.
In Guatemala, the pandemic has heightened the needs and struggles of local clinics in areas where resources were already scarce. Our partner, 32 Volcanoes remains open, but has been working with a reduced staff due to quarantine and social distancing guidelines. Despite the reduction, staff is working hard in overtime to continue to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
Both Dr. Carmen Rosa and Dr. Escarleth have continued to provide care to patients who are not able to mobilize into Xela. Working with their team and community leaders, they are focusing on reaching the most vulnerable patients suffering from malnutrition and chronic illnesses by delivering medications and nutritional supplements to the patients directly. However, two communities lack road access due to the pandemic and other sociopolitical barriers. Although this situation is far from ideal for these vulnerable patients, the patients are currently being monitored by local leaders.
Lastly, 32 Volcanes has been working alongside communities to build their own home and community gardens. This ensures they have the nutrients they need to continue feeding their families and encourages healthy growth during a time where there are challenges in food access.
Your donations have supported:
PPE for clinic staff, community health workers and community leaders.
Supplies for the Nutrition Program
Patient care in the clinic.
Salaries for the 2 doctors.
Additionally, since May, we have donated Nutributter (for nourishing children with chronic malnutrition), Plumpy Nut (for nourishing children with acute malnutrition), zinc supplements, an assortment of chronic medications, reading glasses, and PPE to the following organizations:
Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to people affected by poverty or disaster with life-changing medicine, medical supplies and health programs.
Ama International, supporting the health of communities in Mexico and responding to COVID-19 with food security initiatives and supplying doctors and nurses with essential medical supplies.
Gennesaret Free Clinic, providing medical, dental, and respite care for people who are homeless or unable to afford care in Indianapolis, IN.
The Pour House, assisting individuals experiencing homelessness in overcoming barriers to housing, treatment and healthcare in Indianapolis, IN.
Westminster Clinic, providing education support, access to basic needs, and community connections to empower neighbors and strengthen youth and families on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis.
Project Ropa, a free mobile hygiene service that brings clean clothing and hygiene kits directly to people experiencing homelessness in the Greater Los Angeles area in a safe, humane and dignified way.
