COVID-19 is a global health problem, but within the limited resource setting of LMIC it has the potential to have a catastrophic impact on healthcare providers and services. Massive expansion of critical care capacity, rapid recruitment of workforce and procurement of equipment and PPE which has been central to the response in many countries is simply impossible in systems which are resource poor in terms of staff, resources and finances from the outset. Continuing and diversifying our support for partner countries over this critical period is essential if we are to help them achieve the long-term aim of developing resilient health systems and increased health capacity for surgical services.
ZADP and EADP are well placed to use the knowledge and skills partners already have to quickly develop practices, systems and support mechanisms to reduce the negative consequences of this pandemic.
During the Covid-19 pandemic we have supported our partners through our PPE campaign which saw 3,000 N95 masks distributed in Zambia and Ethiopia, 1000 face shields, researched and developed resources in partnership with the WFSA concerning innovative, homemade PPE, guidance and multiple training resources. After collaborating with local groups and traders in Zambia to produce more face shields, surgical masks and surgical gowns 3,000 locally produced face shields, 1000 fluid resistance face masks have been made.
Our most recent campaign Take a Deep Breath focused on increasing the availability of oxygen and oxygen delivery devices as resources became immensely stretched and patients put at risk because of an oxygen shortage. Alongside this we have continued to support teaching, staff wellbeing and supported advocacy efforts to raise awareness of the challenges being faced by our partners in country. Hear our podcast with the RCOA here and read our joint letter to the UK government around provision of aid and vaccine equity here.
- set up conversation groups specifically for COVID-19 support linked to folders of organised resources
- holding regular individual and group videoconferencing calls to discuss strategies and provide training on COVID-19 for our partners, and then have expanded this strategy to also incorporate the INSPIRE through Clinical Teaching faculty involving healthcare practitioners from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda, Guyana, Kenya and Zambia.
- based on the above needs assessment and discussions, we have collaborated with the WFSA to build a framework of needs of LMIC anaesthesia providers, and to link up-to-date, reviewed, open access resources to each item, helping to sign-post our international partner groups to resources aimed as supporting them, their departments and policy-makers in their response to this pandemic.
- focusing our local efforts on PPE solutions and wellbeing and psychological support
- supporting advocacy efforts for clinical support, PPE procurement and training, developing new systems to respond to this pandemic and support needed for the academic programme
- using videoconferening and distance-methods to continue to support teaching for the physician anaesthesia training programmes
-
- researched methods and guidance from international organisations including WHO regarding PPE availability for contexts where these are difficult to procure, including homemade options and their effectiveness and cleaning.
- purchased and gained donations of internationally certified and homemade PPE and gained customs support enabling these to be given to overseas partners
- researched and developed resources in partnership with the WFSA concerning innovative, homemade PPE and guidance
- collaborating with local groups and traders to develop local production of PPE including face shields, surgical masks and surgical gowns
- on-going fundraising enabling the charity to continue to access the needed resources for this work
- developed resources relating to taking care of your own wellbeing and that of your colleagues during this pandemic. These have been made open-access on our website and on the WFSA COVID resources framework
- developed a section on the WFSA COVID resources framework dedicated specifically to wellbeing and psychological support of anaesthesia providers
- running a buddy system between Zambian anaesthetists and UK anaesthetists to ensure ongoing support
Our needs assessment early in the pandemic, highlighted a lack of PPE as the greatest concern among the low and middle-income country anaesthetists we spoke with. Procured PPE and donations to government have sadly been insufficient to meet the needs of anaesthesia providers in our partner countries, Zambia and Ethiopia, and therefore as a partnership we chose this as one of our areas of focus. So far we have:
- purchased 3,000 N95 masks which are being distributed in Zambia and Ethiopia
- gained a donation of 1000 face shields
- researched and developed resources in partnership with the WFSA concerning innovative, homemade PPE, guidance and multiple training resources.
- collaborated with local groups and traders in Zambia to produce more face shields, surgical masks and surgical gowns- 3,000 locally produced face shields, 1000 fluid resistance face masks have been made so far!
Following these successes, we want to increase our support with PPE further including increasing local production in both partner countries. We will appreciate any support you are able to give with the below fundraising campaign enabling us to purchase resources to do this. Any funds raised surplus to this will go towards the work of the charity.
And for those of you who enjoy a little online shopping, you can also support us through https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/gadp/ which will generate free donations for us when you shop!
