As my departure date moves closer, I am slowly learning more about what my role will be for the next year. One project I will be working on is aimed to reduce the infant mortality and morbidity rate in Chimbote. Roughly 70% of childhood deaths in the developing world are due to malnutrition, diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and measles, all of which are treatable and preventable conditions. The following article from the CMMB website highlights this project (Unidos Contra La Mortalidad):
CMMB Partners with Leading Catholic Health Care Networks to Launch Major Child Survival Program in Peru
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Barbara Wright 212 609 2584
CMMB PARTNERS WITH LEADING CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE NETWORKS TO LAUNCH MAJOR CHILD SURVIVAL
PROGRAM IN PERU
Partners Hope Unidos Contra La Mortalidad Infantil – United Against Infant Mortality - Will Be Model For Further Expansion Of Work Of Catholic Healthcare Networks In The Developing World
Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), Bon Secours Health System, CHRISTUS Health and Caritas del Peru have announced a new initiative, Unidos Contra La Mortalidad Infantil, aimed at decreasing morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age in three key regions of Peru.
The US$1.1 million project will be implemented in the regions of Trujillo, Huancayo and Chimbote, key regions of Peru where Catholic healthcare networks have ongoing ministries. It will focus on the following major activities:
Home visits for pregnant mothers and all newborns, with the purpose of educating on early intervention, recognizing illnesses, knowing when and where to seek timely care, learning methods of exclusive breastfeeding, teaching newborn care to prevent illnesses and mortality;
Training in the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI);
Establishing systems of nutritional community surveillance in coordination with
regional and national health systems;
Building adequate referral systems;
Improving quality care of children under five years of age, and
Implementing supportive supervision to strengthen the quality of IMNCI activities.
In speaking of the reasons for launching the program and the selection of Peru, CMMB’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Jack Galbraith, commented: “Having initiated child survival programs in other areas of Latin America, we’ve seen first-hand the value of working with strong, in-country partners. Caritas del Peru provides a strong base and works closely with Peru’s Ministry of Health in providing healthcare to those in need.”
Sister Patricia Eck, C. B. S., Chair of Bon Secours Ministries and Congregational Leader for the Sisters of Bon Secours, discusses the involvement of her organization: “Our sisters in Peru have long performed heartfelt and professional outreach to the suffering in Trujillo and Huancayo, but we have always wanted to do more. CMMB has the know-how that will allow us to implement this project in a meaningful way and set a foundation for further expansion as resources permit.”
Galbraith adds: “Like many U. S.-based Catholic healthcare systems, Bon Secours Health System, would like to expand its global ministry. When they approached us with the idea of building upon our mutual expertise, we were more than ready.”
"CHRISTUS Health is grateful for the opportunity to partner with other Catholic health ministries to expand services to mothers and children in Peru, said Peter Maddox, Senior Vice President, Business, Strategy and Corporate Development. "This is an opportunity for us to work toward our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and to support the work of one of our founding congregations in Chimbote, Peru. CHRISTUS Health has been an international health ministry since 2001, when we expanded into Latin America with a partnership in Mexico that has grown to include seven hospitals and many other health care providers, and we look forward to applying knowledge gained there to this new endeavor as well," Maddox said.
CMMB sees its role as that of a catalyst for further partnerships in Peru. It will provide its unique combination of programmatic excellence, provision of donated medicines and medical supplies, and deployment of volunteer healthcare experts in implementing Unidos Contra La Mortalidad Infantil.
About Bon Secours Health System
Bon Secours Health System is a US $2.9 billion not-for-profit Catholic health system that owns, manages or participates in joint ventures in 18 acute care, 5 long-term care, 4 assisted and 7 independent/senior housing facilities, primarily on the East Coast of the United States. It employs more than 21,000 caregivers, helping people in seven states.
About CHRISTUS Health
CHRISTUS Health, an international Catholic, faith-based, not-for-profit health system, is headquartered in Dallas and is comprised of almost 350 services and facilities, including more than 50 hospitals and long-term care facilities, 175 clinics and outpatient centers and dozens of other health ministries and ventures. CHRISTUS services can be found in over 60 cities in Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Georgia, Utah and Mexico. The system employs approximately 30,000 Associates and has over 10,000 physicians on facility medical staffs who provide care and support for patients. CHRISTUS Health is listed among the top ten Catholic health systems in the U.S.
About Caritas del Peru
Caritas del Peru is a key national healthcare provider in Peru, with a comprehensive national network and structure. It is an acknowledged healthcare leader, maintaining high standards in accountability and monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and training. Its network spans across every region in Peru.
About CMMB
Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) is the leading U.S.-based Catholic charity focused exclusively on global healthcare. The organization has been working to help heal and save lives throughout the world since 1912, when it had its beginnings in Haiti. CMMB’s medical volunteer, donated medicines, HIV/AIDS, child survival and neglected tropical diseases programs and initiatives concentrate on making healthcare available to all.
I will be heading to New Jersey on September 13th for orientation with the other volunteers from CMMB. On September 17th I will be flying from Newark to Lima where I will be spending a couple days before heading north to Chimbote.
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