NEW RELIEF PROJECT FOR SIM MEDICAL MINISTRIES

BY DANIEL NOLKER

Today, SIM has about 250 health care professionals* working in at least 36 hospitals and clinics, as well as nearly 50 programmes focused on the health of communities or on specific vulnerable groups.

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted all of these, operationally and financially. Equipment and supply shortages make responding more difficult, especially where resources are few and health systems fragile.

But SIM health ministry leaders have initiated the COVID-19 Health Ministry Immediate Response project. It is led by Mark Faus, SIM’s Health Ministries Operations Manager and former chief executive of CEML Hospital in Angola.

This project will provide vital equipment and training to locations in Africa, Asia and South America. Relief will be allocated where most needed, either by providing funds, arranging the supply of equipment, or training in triage and treatments.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is the most pressing need for staff working with suspected COVID-19 patients. SIM surgeon Deborah Eisenhut shared with more than 50 medical personnel in 10 countries how she produced home-made PPE during the Ebola crisis. (A video of that training is available along with notes. Email international.communication@sim.org.)

In many places, basic materials, such as face masks and soap, are unavailable. Th e international trade that resupplies local businesses is cut off by border closings. For example, Mukinge Hospital in Zambia is requesting 7,000 USD to buy soap – a vital commodity if handwashing is to be eff ective in stopping the spread of the virus.

The growing economic stress on SIM medical ministries comes also from restrictions on population movement. Fewer non-COVID patients are being treated and they usually pay for care – a considerable source of revenue for hospitals and clinics already operating on tight budgets.

Dr Mikey Bryant is serving at the ELWA Hospital in Liberia where Ebola patients were treated in 2014. He said: “God has asked us to stay and serve.... He has called us here for such a time as this.” As with other hospitals, incoming short-term healthcare workers have had to cancel their trips, but the hospital’s staff of Liberian and international workers continues to offer services.

Help support the relief

SIM workers who feel led can join in raising prayer and funding for our medical ministries. Feel free to include a paragraph about this opportunity in your newsletters or emails. Be sure to refer to project # 99753.

• 100 USD will furnish one day’s supply of disposable protective attire or one week’s supply of reusable attire for one doctor or nurse.

• 50 USD will supply 100 surgical masks, 20 N95 breathing masks or 15 face shields, providing fi ltered breathing for medical staff .

• 25 USD will supply 25 bars of soap to help protect our medical workers, patients and their communities.

PLEASE PRAY:

• For the project to ease the financial strain.

• For strength and endurance for our healthcare professionals.

• For every sick person under SIM care to receive the needed treatment and to turn to Jesus in their suffering.

RECIPIENTS OF COVID-19 IMMEDIATE RESPONSE RELIEF

Angola: CEML Hospital

Bolivia: Yawisla Family Medicine Centre

Chad: Community Health and Guinebor 2 Hospital

Ecuador: Medical teaching and discipleship

Ethiopia: Discovery Eye Centre

India: Duncan Hospital

Kenya: Kijabe Hospital and 2 Kabarak ministry sites

Liberia: ELWA Hospital

Malawi: Partners in Hope and 2 church-based health ministry sites

Mozambique: informal health ministries

Nepal: Green Pastures Hospital

Niger: Galmi Hospital, Danja Hospital

Nigeria: Egbe Hospital

Paraguay: New Life Mobile Clinic

Peru: Diospi Suyana Hospital

Senegal: Community Health

South Sudan: Grieve Memorial Clinic

Zambia: Mukinge Hospital

Zimbabwe: Rusitu Hospital

Email Mark Faus: International.health-opsdirector@sim.org

*Not every health professional is doing health ministry.