Serve, Work and Transform: Partner Updates on the COVID-19 Frontlines

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Partner Updates on the COVID-19 Frontlines - your free resource from MBF

The Cove Community: Medical Benevolence Foundation International ...

Finding a legitimate source for all the news about COVID-19 has become its own challenge. We want to equip you to become a "safe place" for education and updates so we have created a free template for you to use. Copy and paste the information below the asterisks, and attach your logo/other contact information that you think will be helpful to share with your congregation or mission committee.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Blessings,

E. Andrew Mayo
MBF CEO

Copy everything below this line.
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Preparation continues to be critical for your international partners as well as here in the U.S. as we all struggle to slow the global spread of COVID-19. Joining together to share information can help strengthen our efforts. Below are some highlights from this past week and updates from our MBF partner mission hospitals.

Education and information -

Here are three new medical news reports from a reliable source that may be of interest to you, your friends and family members.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 by severity level? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coronavirus-symptoms-severity-levels
No evidence that heart, kidney medications raise risk https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-not-taking-heart-kidney-medication-as-prescribed-would-be-truly-tragic
coronavirus vs. flu https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/coronavirus-vs-flu

Progress and Efforts by International Partner Hospitals and Individual Partners
MBF continues to share best practices, unique ideas and what others are finding helpful in slowing the spread of the virus. Last week, they discussed how our partners were learning the importance of infection control. Specifically, how Hôpital St.Croix (Holy Cross Hospital) in Léogâne, Haiti, has been using this recipe and guidelines from the WHO to make hand sanitizer in their pharmacy. You may want to hold onto the method yourself while the stores are working on restocking the shelves.

Infection control continues to be effective in helping to stop the spread of the virus. Screening everyone before entering the hospital like Chogoria Mission Hospital in Kenya is doing (pictured above) is good practice, but not a means to an end. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended facilities to consider designating entire units within the facility to care for known or suspected COVID-19 patients. This can help limit health care provider exposure and conserve personal protective equipment.

PCEA Tumutumu Hospital, Kenya - working on a project to upgrade its facility, adding an ICU unit to the hospital by the end of April. There are approximately 518 ICU beds in the country of Kenya and COVID-19 efforts are coordinated through the County Health Systems. Once opened, they will work with their county representative to utilize the new unit.

Prayer Needs and Requests

Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”

Your MBF team and U.S. partners continue to pray strength for all the healthcare workers who are on the front-line, offering essential service and care for those infected, even at the risk of their own lives.
Marcia Lysaght, Director of Nursing VA Los Angeles - Friday, the VA had 3 COVID19 patients. In a very short time, that number rose to 60 and counting. She went in one morning at 3 am to comfort the staff and family as the first death occurred. Please pray for all involved.
At Bongolo Hospital in Gabon, they have asked for prayer for the protection of their team as they treat patients. Prayer that the measures the government has put in place will slow the spread within the county. There is great concern that as the virus spreads, it will be challenging to provide advanced care to the population.
In Pakistan – There is not a realistic number from the ground due to a lack of testing kits for 220 million people. Please pray for those whose job it is to counsel and comfort in the hospitals.
In Afghanistan, a doctor who partners with MBF there (can’t name) says there is an acute shortage of supplies in the private hospital they work at. They have been unable to implement the most basic measures to decrease exposure to staff and noninfectious patients. The hospital is facing the need to make hard decisions to protect its employees.