The info hub for the hub of global health
Grand opening
Big news for small babies in Uganda—the new and improved newborn unit of Nakaseke Hospital is now open. Adara and Nakaseke partnered in 2017 to open the hospital’s first newborn unit and create a newborn model of care that can be replicated in other areas. Since the partnership began, the newborns have a 98% survival rate, and the quality-of-care rating has improved by 75%.
Now there’s an upgraded unit, with staff devoted specifically to newborns who need extra care. According to Adara, the goal of AdaraNewborn is to reduce newborn deaths and stillbirths across Uganda by 50% in 10 health facilities over 10 years.
If you build it…
Construction of the first dedicated fistula center in Burkina Faso is complete! The space will be used for surgical treatment, social reintegration, and pelvic floor education, with operational programming funded by the Worldwide Fistula Fund. It will also be used as a training facility so that doctors in other areas can handle minor cases at their local clinics. This will be life changing for women with fistula injuries in the country.
The weather outside is frightful
On December 10, tornadoes caused widespread devastation across five states in the Midwest. World Vision sprang into action by sending three truckloads of supplies including food, hygiene kits, diapers, heaters, solar lights, and more to impacted areas of Kentucky and beyond. Emergency relief supplies and PPE are also on the way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 while support is being provided.
Emerald City anxiety
According to the US Census Bureau, Seattle is now the most anxious major metro city. This affects not only adults, but youth too. Seattle Children’s shared a mental health referral service for children and teens. It’s a free telephone service that connects youth and families to mental health services in the community.
With support from the Seattle Times Education Lab and Public Health – Seattle & King County, a group of Seattle teens created their own guide to multicultural mental health services for their peers. The teens recommended services and providers that reflect their own cultures and values.
Wondering how to tell if children or teens are experiencing anxiety? Check out these signs.
Afghanistan aid
Did you know that UNICEF has worked in Afghanistan for 70 years? Currently, conditions are dire for many children in the country with malnutrition rates soaring, outbreaks of measles and other illnesses, conflict, and lack of clean water. UNICEF is providing health care, immunizations, nutrition interventions, safe water, and more. Learn about the big goals UNICEF hopes to accomplish in 2022 through its largest ever single-country appeal for Afghanistan—part of its global Humanitarian Action Plan for children.
Special reports
The Global Health Council recently released its report, From Security to Solidarity: Examining Language To Make the Case for U.S. Investments in Global Health. The report seeks to address ‘security’ in a more collaborative way, leveraging the renewed political commitments stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global Washington recently released the 2022 Global Philanthropy Guide in partnership with the Seattle Foundation. This year’s theme is one that impacts every one of us: climate justice. Check it out to learn how organizations are tackling the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through climate action.
Zoomin’ around town
Holiday break!
Anytime
Read tips from Swedish on how to stay healthy and safe while gathering for holiday celebrations.
Watch VillageReach’s short (3 minutes!) animated video explaining its radically collaborative work— “Reaching Health Care for All.”
“Medicine won’t matter, won’t allow us to advance global health equity, unless we do our jobs to advance the interest in humanity each and every day.”
–Dr. Paul Farmer, Partners In Health, in his remarks at the University of Global Health Equity White Coat Ceremony