Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Countries worldwide are struggling with wave after wave of COVID-19. Health services are being pushed to the brink to provide adequate care for the sick. When the second wave hit Peru, the town of Jicamarca was not spared. Local cases increased, raising concerns about some of the virus’s secondary complications, such as limb numbness, headaches, and lung and heart conditions, in addition to the emotional toll. With so many losing family members and friends to the pandemic, there has been a notable rise in the need for mental health support.
Peru is also in the midst of a severe political crisis. Elections in April served to further polarise the population with radical parties at either end of the spectrum disseminating false information and generating uncertainty. Vaccination rates remain low following a campaign of erroneous information about the vaccine, leaving a large portion of the older adult population unprotected. Their vulnerability is compounded by a lack of opportunity to generate income on their own and the Government’s general abandonment of the people. And if this wasn’t enough, Peru has suffered several tremors (earthquakes) in recent months, further complicating the ability of aid organisations to deliver services to desperate communities.
Yet, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
A much-needed grant from MWIA allowed Sr Patricia Mc Laughlin ibvm and the Our Lady of Guadalupe de Jicamarca Health Centre staff to respond to this most challenging trial. The team procured essential PPE supplies for front-line health staff, including masks, gloves, aprons, caps and shoe coverings, as well as ammonium for disinfection and anti-fluid uniforms and caps, allowing them to prevent disease and work safely with their patients. Alongside these items, three oxygen concentrators were acquired to treat acute COVID-19 sufferers.
Sr Patricia and the health centre staff have provided pharmaceutical services to over 1689 people, primarily women, children and the elderly. They have further provided hundreds of telemedicine consultations and home visits, in addition to medicinal donations to vulnerable people.
Vital projects such as these fulfil the mission of Mary Ward International Australia and further work towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 – ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all at all ages. Such impact is only ever possible thanks to the generous donations of our supporters.
