By Binh Ha | Annual Giving Coordinator
Dear Friends,
First and foremost, thank you so much for your generous support of PIH’s Emergency COVID-19 Response. Your solidarity with our staff and patients helps us continue to respond to the pandemic in four different continents and bring quality care to so many people in need of health care and hope.
Since March 2020, PIH has led targeted interventions in the United States and across the globe to respond to urgent needs, such as training contact tracers and providing stocks of PPE and rapid tests, while also strengthening health systems so that they can better respond to future pandemics. Alongside our partners, PIH will continue to save lives, positively change the course of the pandemic globally, demonstrate what aggressive action can achieve, and ensure a healthier future for all. This important work is only possible because of contributions and support by dedicated supporters like yourself.
As COVID-19 remains a threat worldwide, lifesaving vaccines continue to be inaccessible for the majority of the world’s population—including Indigenous communities in Latin America and the Caribbean. PIH in Mexico calls for vaccine campaigns to address the needs of Indigenous peoples in these regions. By August, 17% of Mexicans had been fully vaccinated, and 26 million had been given at least one dose. Across the country, 91 million people are still waiting for vaccines, even as the third wave of the pandemic triggers a surge of new cases in several areas.
Dr. Popoca conducts a consultation with a patient in the Respiratory Disease Center, Susana, from Jaltenango. She had tested negative for COVID-19 but had respiratory symptoms.
During COVID-19, Compañeros En Salud which is known as PIH in Mexico rapidly mobilized to respond to a pandemic that has devastated millions worldwide. We have been providing the PIH-supported community hospital in Jaltenango with training, resources, and staff; implementing strict infection and prevention control measures; and opening a brand new, seven-bed Respiratory Disease Center for patients with severe COVID-19, in an area where such facilities are extremely rare.
Miguel is currently the only paramedic for the hospital in Jaltenango, which is supported by Compañeros En Salud. Photo by Caitlin/ Partners In Health.
In Peru, where has the highest COVID-19 deaths per capita in the world, the pandemic continues to devastate communities across Peru. Socios En Salud—as PIH is known locally—has delivered more than 120 oxygen concentrators and 90 oxygen tanks to hospitals nationwide, as well as installed 260 oxygen outlets directly into hospital walls, beside patient beds.
Socios En Salud staff, including Marco, participate in a training on the installation and maintenance of oxygen equipment, held at a health center in Comas and organized by the Center for Global Health. Photo by Fernando/ PIH.
“Oxygen concentrators are a huge help in caring for patients with respiratory difficulties and prevent them from landing in an ICU bed,” Dr. Muñoz, a physician at the oxygen center. “With this technology, we can save the lives of thousands of people.”
During these difficult times, we must stand in solidarity and act together now, more than ever, as the virus continues to spread globally, new variants emerge, and vaccines remain out of reach to millions. We are part of a global community. Until everyone is protected, no one is protected.
Last but not least, we are so thankful for all of your tremendous support and your commitment to our mission that enable us to provide equitable health care and urgent support to the poor and the marginalized around the world. We wish you all the best, and thanks again for your partnership!
In solidarity,
Partners In Health
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