Partners Contribute to Face Mask Efforts
The Government of Kenya is now requiring everyone to wear a face mask when out in public. Friends of the AMPATH partnership lead several efforts to ensure that those who need facemasks have them available.
Dr. Peter Kussin, a pulmonary and critical care physician from AMPATH partner Duke University, said one effort started by happenstance. Echocardiographer Mike Foster mentioned he was having some masks created by a friend who was a tailor which prompted Kussin to reach out to Mary Keria, a valued friend in Eldoret and an expert seamstress and tailor. Mary and her team are now making masks for the personal use of many at MTRH and Foster and a small group of volunteers are helping with distribution.
Masks created by Creation Hive
Supported by donations, 150 masks have been distributed to ICU and CCU staff and oncology patients. An additional 100 masks are also headed to nurses and mothers at Riley Mother and Baby Hospital and to the Nyayo wards.
A mask from Creation Hive
Dr. Mark Nyalumbe, a medical psychologist typically works with Professor Kussin to offer emotional care to the ICU nurses through a monthly psychological debriefing program. Now he is voluntarily dedicating extra time to washing, sanitizing, ironing, packing and coordinating the delivery of masks to staff and patients at MTRH. “I'm so happy the masks came at the right time and already touching so many lives,” he said.
Jerop Komen, a nutritionist at the MTRH intensive care unit, is helping with delivery to the ICU staff as well. “I got involved in this project through Professor Kussin who is part of our ICU family here at MTRH,” said Komen. He said the ICU staff sends gratitude and blessings to the team. Chris Mwaniki, hematology/oncology medical officer at MTRH, rounds out the team effort.
Another mask-making effort is led by Creation Hive, a craft micro-enterprise that evolved from the Imani Workshops. The mission and vision behind Creation Hive is a desire to inspire, prepare and employ individuals/families affected by life changing diseases and underserved communities to succeed in a local and global economy.
“We are happy to be contributing our skills to fight the spread of COVID-19,” said Florence Mbandar, one of Creation Hive’s artisans working on the masks.
Clients have ordered over one thousand face masks in the last two weeks, according to Creation Hive’s director Scott Vankirk. “The Hive looks forward to more orders both local and international in an effort to support the artisans who would otherwise stay home with little income as a result of order cancellation occasioned by the COVID-19 challenges,” said Vankirk.
“The ladies are very happy about being involved in making the masks for the overall health community. It’s a scary time for everyone and giving others opportunities to access quality masks at an affordable price is something we can do to help,” he continued.
The Ministry of Health outlined the key points about using masks:
· Before putting on a mask, clean your hands.
· Cover the mouth & nose with mask & make sure there are no gaps.
· Avoid touching the mask while using it.
· To remove the mask; remove it from behind.