On 11th March 2020, the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 a pandemic. At that stage, there were over 118,000 cases, but now the number of deaths has passed 1million. It has also shown examples of tremendous community and global cooperation to protect the poorest and most vulnerable.
In the countries where EMMS International’s partners work, this was an emergency on top of many other healthcare crises.
Our partners have responded quickly to stop the spread of coronavirus in their communities, to care for those affected and to meet the many health needs that people still face on a daily basis. Thanks to your generous support of our Emergency Response Appeal, our partners have had practical and prayerful support in their efforts.
In Malawi
The UK government supported changes in the Chifundo palliative care project, allowing it to adapt to the current crisis. Along with your donations, this has allowed Mulanje Mission Hospital to manufacture personal protective equipment for their staff and those in a nearby government hospital. The mission hospitals, government hospitals and healthcare facilities from every district in Malawi have had support in preventing the spread of the virus and limiting its impact on communities.
In India
Duncan Hospital is now a dedicated Covid Health Centre with 50 beds on a separate floor for use by Covid patients only. However, because of lockdown restrictions and fears among other non-COVID patients of contracting the virus, the hospital hasn’t had the usual fee-paying patients to support the hospital’s services. With very generous gifts to the hospital and the emergency appeal, the hospital has been able to continue to pay staff salaries, buy essential commodities and care for the poorest patients.
In Nepal
Construction of the Palliative Care Centre of Excellence at Green Pastures Hospital stayed on track thanks to the commitment of local partners, INF Nepal. As a result, they’ve been able to use the facility to provide additional space to house separate quarantine facilities. The palliative care team have also had to be creative in their work, including setting up a telephone service for patients so they could continue to offer care and support throughout the lockdown restrictions.