Newsletter October 2014 September 2014 RIBI International Committee. Introduction We hope you enjoy your reading of this edition - Mike, Allan, Colin, Gordon, Kevin, Ron and Wendy
World Child Cancer World Child Cancer believes that children with cancer, irrespective of where they are born should not have to suffer or die unnecessarily. Childhood Cancer Patients in Malawi are shown in the photograph
to facilitate international hospital twinning partnerships that connect healthcare professionals globally to transfer specialist expertise, skills, equipment and funding to existing health care systems. We have found over the past few months that our cause has really resonated with Rotary members. We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received as a result. We are delighted that Rotary is considering adding World Child Cancer to their Opportunities to Serve. We would be thrilled to speak to your club should you require further information about our work. Please visit www.worldchildcancer.org or contact Lydia 020 3176 7892.
In developed countries children have an 80% chance of surviving cancer. The story is very different in low and middle income countries where just over two thirds of children with cancer remain undiagnosed. It is estimated that over 100,000 die every year without any treatment at all. Of those that do receive treatment less than 10% survive. World Child Cancer works to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and care for children in some of the poorest countries in the world. Our solution is
Join an International Panel of Specialists and make a world of difference through Telemedicine The International Fellowship of Physicians under their Chairman PDG Dr John Philips – johnphilip@btconnect.com - are proposing to form an international panel of specialists to provide advice to colleagues in developing countries. This is a unique opportunity for a qualified Rotarian to get involved in the care of patients in another part of the world.
It is done through a global Telemedicine Programme Global Offsite Care (http://www.globaloffsitecare.org ), supported by the Sebastopol Sunrise Rotary Club and endorsed by the Fellowship.
Remote consultations enable small hospitals to offer specialized services. Doctors who serve in areas far from teaching hospitals can receive continuing education on best practices in the evolving world of medicine.
There are times when a doctor faces a clinical dilemma. This may be a life and death situation, or sometimes it may be something less important. Whatever the situation, it would be good if that doctor can gain access to specialist support from somewhere. Telemedicine makes this possible. Hope & Homes for Children are appealing to Rotarians to support the NUMB3RS appeal this autumn.
When children are reduced to numbers, bad things happen to them. Some doctors find it difficult to keep up with training and continuing education. Telemedicine equipment provides opportunity for continuing medical education with patient-based grand rounds. Sebastopol Sunrise Rotary Club together with Global Offsite care have already established Telemedicine links with a number of hospitals – in the Philippines, India and Nigeria. There are currently several other hospitals expressing interest to join the network. Rotarian Doctors Fellowship endorses this exciting project and would like to broaden its scope through our global network. Many people in the developing world have limited access to medical specialists. They suffer or die because quality care is not available. Many doctors would like to help but cannot afford the time away from their practice or their home. What if it were quick and inexpensive for a doctor to see a remote patient without the time and expense of travel? What if a general practice doctor could consult with a specialist using affordable technology instead of having to bring the patient to the specialist? Telemedicine can deliver high quality care using affordable technology such as Wi-Fi networks, broadband Internet and tablet computers.
In many orphanages, children are confined to their cots with just a number at the end of each one, not even a name. Many of them are neglected so appallingly they are unable to develop properly. Some even die as a result. They really are just a number. There are 8 million children confined to orphanages around the world, including tens of thousands across Africa – children who are afforded no love, no protection and no future. Yet over 80% of these children have at least one living parent. We believe all children deserve the love, support and protection of a family. Hope and Homes for Children work in some of the most challenging environments around the world to put in place the support services that families need to stay together and provide their children with the love and protection they deserve. With your help we can support vulnerable families, break the cycle of poverty, and end the need for orphanages. Between now and 12th December, donations made to the Hope and Homes for Children NUMB3RS campaign will be matched, pound for pound by the
UK government. The only numbers you need to know are 1, 2, 3...One donation, twice the impact, for three months only. Our vision is a world in which children no longer suffer in orphanages. A world where children can be children, not just a number. With your support we can achieve this in our lifetime. Please donate to the Hope and Homes for Children NUMB3RS appeal between 12th September and the 12th December and help ensure one day all children grow up with the love of a family. If your Club or District would like to support this appeal please call 01722 790111 or send a cheque donation in the post to: Hope and Homes for Children, NUMB3RS Appeal, East Clyffe, Salisbury SP3 4LZ
Charter invitation - InterCountry Committee (ICC)
Ebola - Marlow Rotary Club An extract from the www.ribi.org home page ….. ‘Brian Jonson, President of Marlow Rotary Club said: “We hope the people of Marlow will support our campaign for the club and churches in Monrovia where the Ebola crisis is causing so much concern. Ebola is destroying the already scant health care infrastructures and many hospitals in Liberia have closed down temporarily and doctors are dying. The chief administrator of the largest hospital in Monrovia has also died from the virus. They have no facilities such as masks and gloves and in some cases no fresh water.” The Marlow Rotarians plan to work with the Monrovia club to supply items such as face masks, gloves, soap, bed sheets, mattress covers, fresh water, chemicals, protective garments and other essentials to care for the sick, handle the dead and disinfect the infected areas’
The 2013-14 General Council gave approval for the formation of an InterCountry Committee (ICC) between Romania & Moldavia. Discussions have progressed under the RIBI ICC Chairmanship of PDG Dr Elizabeth Tatman to the point of arranging the first of two Charter events. On 1st November the first Charter will be held in Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The mission of an InterCountry Committee is to build a force that will encourage Rotarians to visit each other’s countries and homes, to strengthen friendships and projects so formed by encouraging clubs and districts to connect with clubs and districts in other countries, and to contribute to world peace. The purpose of this note is to invite Rotarians to join in the event on a self-financing basis – more information from Mike Parry via mjparry111@hotmail.com
Famine relief in Sierra Leone D1050’s DISC Tony – tony.hoy@btinternet.com - is wondering if there is a Rotary network/charity/NGO in Sierra Leone that might be able to efficiently use financial support in famine relief.
Disasters The RIBI web site is regularly updated – as Rotarians we naturally look to the long term sustainable help we can provide but naturally think of the ‘NOW’ – please support the Rotary sponsored ‘reactive’ charities in their on-going work to provide shelter and other essential survival items.
Albino community in Tanzania John Philip - johnphilip@btconnect.com - outlines a holistic TRF two-year project to make the difference to the Albino community in the Lake Victoria area of Tanzania involving the Rotary Clubs of Moshi (Tanzania) and Mirfield (RIBI)
The International Aid Trust Rev Bernard Cocker CEO & Founder of The International Aid Trust has provided the following update of their work. Pastor Michael in Sierra Leone - the Ebola crisis is worsening
Albinism is an inherited condition in which the body does not produce the pigment melanin, resulting in a person with pale skin, light hair, pinkish eyes and impaired vision. It is a rare condition – worldwide it affects only one in 20,000 people. Tanzania has one of the highest rates of albinism in the world. One in 1,429 Tanzanians are albinos, estimated number in the country is 30,000. Half will develop advanced skin cancer between 20-30 years of age. Less than 2% live beyond 40. Life is hard for albinos throughout Africa, but especially in Tanzania. At best, they face raw prejudice; at worst, they are hunted for their flesh, the results of superstitious beliefs. Albino killings have been reported in a dozen African countries from South Africa to Kenya, but they are worse in Tanzania than anywhere else. More than 100 albinos have been violently attacked in Tanzania from 2006 to June of this year — 71 died and 31 escaped, though most were maimed.
Next Month –Please keep your comments and suggested articles coming in via Mike Parry, - mjparry111@hotmail.com
Michael and Alice’s next door neighbour is now infected and there is panic in the surrounding villages. There 17 year old niece also, together with the seven members of the family she was boarding with. The doctor who replaced the one leading the fight has now also died together with many more nurses. The hospitals have almost no supplies. The same stretchers are being used for bringing in the patients from cars and moving the Ebola victims to their graves, protective clothing is reused. Hospitals are now places to be feared and avoided and people are afraid to seek medical help. If their symptoms are similar to any of the Ebola symptoms they are quarantined along with them and so contract the disease. Even if they have a road or domestic accident they are going without treatment. More mothers are dying in child birth. Food is getting scarcer by the day with the markets closed. In some smaller villages whole populations have died, either through the disease or lack of food and water. Panic is now setting in as they become more isolated.
Pastor Pasha reports from the Ukraine and Bishop Kota in India - details are available from www.internationalaidtrust.org.uk
Mike Parry - Chairman mjparry111@hotmail.com
Allan Smith allan@smithonweb.com
Colin Ince Colin18270@blueyonder.co.uk
Gordon McGone gordonandlorraine@btinternet.com
Kevin Pitt – Chair, External Funding Committee kevinjpitt@gmail.com
Ron Daniels Ron.daniels@btopenworld.com
Liaison Governor 2014 -15 Wendy Watson