IPOP Accomplishments in Africa
Heal Africa
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
EDUCATION
- Operates an annual educational program in Goma, in which a team of providers travels to Goma for 1-2 weeks of teaching and clinical mentorship.
- The curriculum is composed of an annual training in pediatric and neonatal resuscitation as well as specialty series that is decided upon by Heal Africa the year prior; participants are recruited annually to match the specific topics.
- Teaching is now being expanded to involve the University of Goma, and allow for credit for attendees.
- This IPOP program is supported in large part by a grant from the Marmor Foundation.
- Supported the travel and fees for Dr. Vindu Vyolo the physician director of Heal Africa pediatric HIV clinic, to attend a regional conference on HIV in Nairobi, Kenya. (2006)
- Supported the visit of UCSF physical therapist Loran Hollander, who trained providers at Heal Africa as well as other hospitals in Goma. (2006)
- Helped arrange for a month of advanced obstetric training at UCSF for Heal Africa physician, Dr. Jacques Kalume. (2006)
- Supported the long term stays (2-4 weeks) by several UCSF Pediatric faculty for continuous clinical teaching on the wards and in the outpatient clinic. (2006)
- Identified and helped secure a fellowship for advanced HIV training at UCSF for then medical director and pioneer in local HIV care, Dr. Prosper Lutala. (2005)
RESEARCH
- Supported a US based nurse Sara Gallagher to do a nutritional needs assessment of HIV infected children in Goma in 2006. The data was also used by a coalition of groups in Goma to apply to UNICEF for expansion of their nutrition programs. Currently seeking funding for a study of the etiologies of meningitis, to guide local providers.
MATERIALS
- Helped secure a donation of 1400 HIV testing kits and enough Nevirapine to cover 1700 mother/infant pairs. (2004)
- Have supplied 2 shipments of pediatric and neonatal bag mask ventilators to aid in resuscitation. (2006/7)
- Have supplied a set of mannequins for ongoing training of providers. (2007)
- Provided emergency funding to cover housing and food for children displace by a flare in local violence. (2006)
- Have provided various textbooks and medical software to their library.
- Secured the donation and delivery of a cardiac defibrillator (2006) and pulse oximeters. (2007)
- Supply miscellaneous medical equipment.
