EquiHealth Global Hope Digest : simplebooklet.com

Table ofContents050891217ANNUAL CONFERENCEHEALTH AND EDUCATIONCARE FOR UNDERSERVED IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEESREACHING UNDERSERVED AFRICANUTRITION AND HEALTHConferences held in USA and KenyaOur ongoing program at Dylan Jones AcademyOur partnership with Project Checkers (Duke Uni.)Our partnership with Cornerstone ChurchMore about our NutriCare Program

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Welcome to the inaugural issue of EquiHealth Global Hope Digest!As we embark on this journey together, our aim is simple, yet profound: to share stories thatilluminate the transformative power of compassionate healthcare. At EquiHealth Global, webelieve that every individual deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of theircircumstances. This magazine is a testament to our commitment to bridging gaps and promotinghealth equity worldwide.In each issue, you'll find inspiring narratives, insightful interviews, and expert perspectives thathighlight our efforts and those of our dedicated partners. These stories are drawn from ouractivities throughout the year, aimed not only at informing our supporters of all we are doing butalso at seeking their engagement in upcoming activities. Whether you're a healthcare professional,a supporter of our mission, or simply curious about global health issues, we invite you to delve intothe pages of EquiHealth Global Hope Digest and join us in fostering a healthier, morecompassionate world.Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, we can make a difference.From the EditorEditor-in-Chief03JMM

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EQUIHEALTH GLOBAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE 04In April 2024, our inaugural Annual Conference tookplace in the United States at North RaleighInternational Baptist Church, our ministry partner fora program catering to immigrants and refugees inthe area. These communities face various healthchallenges primarily due to limited healthcareaccess. Upon arriving in the United States, familiesand individuals encounter numerous hurdles as theyadapt to a new culture.One significant challenge arises from the Americanhealthcare system, which differs from what they areaccustomed to. Navigating this complex systemnecessitates language proficiency, as mostresources are available in English or Spanish.Moreover, engaging with the healthcare systemrequires a level of formal education to comprehendits intricate procedures. Additionally, individualsmust possess medical insurance to cover theservices. While most legal refugees qualify forMedicaid upon initial immigration to the USA, someeventually lose this coverage.During the conference, stories were shared aboutindividuals opting to stay at home instead of seekinghospital care due to fear of incurring medicalexpenses. Moreover, many disengage from follow-up processes because they feel unheard andunsupported by the medical community. Theseobstacles present challenges to achieving healthequity among underserved immigrant and refugeepopulations in North Raleigh. Similar challenges arefaced by communities across the city, state, andcountry.The annual conference served as a platform to hearthese narratives and reassure the community of theirworth. Attendees also received valuable healtheducation on topics such as Head and Neck Cancerrisks related to HPV by Dr. Osazuwa Peters fromDuke University, insights on navigating thehealthcare system by Bella Kangere, a licensednurse at a regional hospital, and information on dietand nutrition from Dr. Pauline Ondachi, a HealthCoach.

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE05On April 13th, 2024, the Kenyan Chapter of theEquiHealth Global Annual Conference convened,gathering our healthcare volunteer team for atraining session focused on early disease detectionin underserved communities. The conference shedlight on the significant challenges encountered byrural and marginalized populations. Representativesfrom the County Government Health departmentdiscussed potential partnership opportunities inunreached areas with the team.EquiHealth Global Kenya team reflected on theirten-year journey, leading to the organization'sestablishment. They also outlined upcomingprogram activities aimed at expanding coverage inarid and semi-arid regions. The primary objective ofthe Kenya program is to ensure early diseasedetection for a wide population in areas lackinghealthcare access. Additionally, the team sharedbest practices for managing nutrition-relatedillnesses and mental health issues in thesecommunities.DR JAMES MBURU, COUNTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH-MURANGA DURINGTHE ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT NOKRAS HOTEL, MURANG’A KENYAEUNICE WAWERU, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER SHARINGABOUT EQUIHEALTH’S JOURNEY OVER THE YEARS ANDTHE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY

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Late one night while at home, a child was playing when an accidentoccurred. The child knocked over some hot water, which spilled ontohis back, neck, and chest. He was rushed to the hospital, where hereceived first aid, but despite suffering first-degree burns involving ajoint and the neck region, the hospital could not admit him due to a lackof bed space. The child was sent home with painful burn wounds. Ourteam was informed of the situation the following day and immediatelywent to review the child's condition. The lead clinician noticed that thewounds had already started to get infected. He quickly connected witha nurse from Kambirwa town, Murang’a, who performed the necessarycleaning and debridement of the wounds and administered antibiotics.The boy was followed up over the next couple of weeks to ensure thewounds healed properly. We are glad to report that he is doing verywell, with significant improvement in his condition. The child has alsoresumed his studies at the Dylan Jones Academy.EMERGENCYSERVICES07HEALTH AND EDUCATIONThe Dylan Jones Academy, a school-based program in Kenya, offerseducation to the community ofKambirwa, Murang’a through a Gospel-centered approach. With 208 studentsenrolled, the school has been running for7 years. Our EquiHealth Global clinicalteam actively engages in quarterly healthinitiatives to support the underprivilegedcommunity, leading to significantprogress among students and theirfamilies. Currently, we are closelymonitoring students diagnosed withgenetic conditions and birth defects. Ourclinician conducts monthly follow-upsand aims to implement bi-weekly schoolvisits for these students. Our dream is toone day establish a clinic proximal to theschool allowing us to have presence inthe community across the year. Burn wounds are in the process ofhealing after the student sufferedsevere burns in an accident.

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MEDICAL FAIRS 08In April, we collaborated with Duke University's Head and Neck Department and North Raleigh InternationalBaptist Church for the Project Checkers event. The aim was to screen immigrants and refugees in NorthRaleigh for Head and Neck Cancer, as well as conduct a survey. Our volunteers helped with patientregistration, distributed Health and Hope Kits, provided prayer and spiritual counseling, and offered householditems to attendees.The event united over 40 volunteers from various organizations and churches to address the challenges facedby immigrants and refugees nationwide. The health fair's objective is to spread love, hope, and care within thecommunity, ensuring that everyone feels heard, supported, and informed about accessing healthcareresources.A significant addition at this event was a mental health booth that delivered prayers and spiritual counseling toparticipants for the first time. We recognize the importance of mental health support in empoweringunderserved communities to care for their families and neighborhoods, especially when specialized servicesare financially out of reach. Our plan is to engage more church members to provide this vital service,complementing the efforts of other agencies.A volunteer provides uplifting information to aparticipant along with a prayer to instill hopeamidst their challenges.Care for Underserved Immigrants andRefugees in Raleigh, NCAt the event, around 100 Health and Hope Kitswere distributed, including food items, toiletries,and Gospel kits. Volunteers from WMU, NCassisted our team during the medical fair.

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Short-term, Project CHECKERS aims to enhance awareness about Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) and its riskfactors through screenings in underserved communities across North Carolina. EquiHealth Global proudlycollaborates with Project CHECKERS, facilitating screening coordination to ensure seamless operations andengaging additional partners to support this critical initiative. Long-term, the project seeks to demonstrate theimpact of tailored HNC screening programs in improving early disease detection, preventing cancer, andenhancing survival rates among high-risk individuals with limited access to healthcare.In the immediate future, Project CHECKERS focuses on raising awareness about Head and Neck Cancer (HNC)and its risk factors through screenings in underserved communities throughout North Carolina. EquiHealthGlobal is honored to partner with Project CHECKERS, overseeing screening coordination to ensure efficientoperations and enlisting the support of other partners to bolster this essential endeavor. Looking forward, ouraim is to highlight how personalized screening initiatives for HNC can significantly contribute to early diseasedetection efforts. By identifying cancers early and preventing their progression, we aspire to enhance survivalrates among those most vulnerable, particularly individuals facing barriers to timely healthcare access.ProjectCheckers09MEDICAL FAIRS

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10We have also collaborated with organizations suchas WMU (Women Missionary Union) NC, whoseinvaluable support in mobilizing Health and HopeKits and facilitating a smooth flow of attendees atthe medical fair has been crucial to our efforts.Furthermore, Fruitland Baptist Church made asignificant impact through its members, whogenerously donated household items that weredistributed to families within the community, furtherenhancing the outreach and support provided duringthe event.Our achievements are made possible by thededicated support of volunteers. Volunteers notonly supply the essential human resources neededto staff our medical activities but also extend loveand care to our attendees, enriching the impact ofour initiatives. We would like to express ourheartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who havecontinued to support our mission tirelessly. Theirdedication and compassion are integral to thesuccess of our efforts in serving underservedcommunities.Efficient PartnershipsData entry team that were responsible forregistering attendees and providing them with theevent pass.Barbra Hill, Current President of WMU, NC and Paul Hill,Associate Pastor at Fairview Baptist Church, Statesville,NC, serving in the Health and Hope Kits booth

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Partnership withCornerstone Churchto Reach UnderservedCommunities in Kenya11Equihealth Global Hope DigestDuring the medical camps, participants receive various services such as medical, dental, and vision care, alongwith nutritional counseling provided with Health and Hope Kits. Additionally, they receive mental health supportthrough prayers and spiritual counseling.

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12EquiHealth Global recently concluded a series ofimpactful week-long medical camps acrossMurang’a, Kenya, marking a significant milestone inour dedication to providing essential healthcareservices to underserved communities. Thesecamps, organized in close collaboration with localpartners and generously supported by dedicatedvolunteers, successfully delivered much-neededmedical care directly to those in need.Throughout the camps, our team conductedextensive health screenings, diagnostic tests, andconsultations, addressing a wide range of healthissues from infectious diseases to chronicconditions. The impact was profound, with over1,100 individuals benefiting directly from these vitalservices.The success of these medical camps was madepossible through the generous funding and supportfrom Cornerstone Church, Statesville, NC. Theircontributions not only funded the essential medicalsupplies and logistics but also provided over 25volunteers who dedicated their time and expertiseto staff the camps, ensuring comprehensive care forthe community. Our mission is not justabout providinghealthcare; it's aboutrestoring hope and dignityto those who need it most. The success of thesemedical camps inMurang’a reflects ourunwavering commitmentto empoweringunderserved communitiesthrough accessible andcompassionatehealthcare.Dental care provided through partnership with local dentists.PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

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PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES 14In addition to medical care, the distribution of over2,000 Health and Hope Kits provided essentialsupplies and resources to support health and well-being beyond the camps. These kits, made possiblethrough generous contributions and communitysupport, reached approximately 7,000 individualsacross different families, highlighting thewidespread impact of our efforts.Furthermore, in partnership with Optica Kenya Ltd,we provided eye care services including visualexaminations to attendees. Many individuals whoparticipated in the activities had never beforereceived eye examinations, addressing a criticalneed for vision health in the community.As we celebrate these achievements, we reaffirmour commitment to promoting health equity andempowering communities through accessiblehealthcare. The success of these campsunderscores the transformative power ofcollaboration and compassion in creating lastingchange in the lives of those we serve.

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However, the mostheartbreaking aspect was havingto turn away hundreds ofindividuals who had comeseeking care but could not beseen due to limited resources.We could only accommodateabout 200 patients per day,underscoring the urgent needfor expanded healthcareinitiatives in these communities.Looking forward, our goal is toexpand our efforts next year byconducting week-long medicalcamps in these communities,aiming to provide care to asmany individuals as possible. The data collected from theMedical Camps revealed aconcerning trend within thecommunity, highlightingsignificant risks of cardiacillnesses related to issues suchas weight management,hypertension, and lifestylediseases such as diabetes.Moving forward, we arecommitted to conducting furtherresearch and developingmitigating measures to addressthese health challenges andprovide support to thecommunity.Week-LongMedical Fairs15Equihealth Global Hope Digest

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NUTRITION AND HEALTH 16In May 2024, EquiHealth Global, incollaboration with local partners andsupported by Fairview Baptist ChurchStatesville, NC, hosted the annualNutriCare event at Dylan JonesAcademy. This event aimed toenhance holistic well-being inunderserved communities by focusingon the critical role of nutrition in health. Attendees participated in educationalworkshops, interactive sessions, andhealth screenings, gaining insightsfrom healthcare professionals andenjoying demonstrations for practicalmeal planning. The distribution ofHealth and Hope Kits, filled withessential food items and educationalresources, underscored ourcommitment to promoting healthierlifestyles. Ann, a nutritionist, enthusiasticallyexpressed her optimism about theNutriCare program, highlighting itspotential to profoundly impact thecommunity. She emphasized its role inpromoting healthier lifestyles andaddressing nutritional challengesamong underserved populations. “There is a child that was crying andrefusing to leave the school becauseof the food he was getting and care”- Chief, Gikindu Location, KambirwaKenya.John Chege, the Assistant Chief of Kambirwa, Kenya, delivered a speech to theaudience, praising EquiHealth Global's initiatives in the community. He recounted atouching story about a child who hesitated to leave school due to the nourishment andattention received there, given the father's alcoholism and the mother's absence athome.NutriCare

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PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES 18An image of a zebra taken by a team member while visiting the Maasai Mara.A picture of the king of the jungle captured during a tripto the Maasai Mara. Renee, Team leader at Cornerstone Churchalongside the chief in one of our medical mission sites.Volunteers inputting data into the new health informationsystem at a medical camp. This system allows us toefficiently collect and manage patient informationthrough an integrated platform, resulting in quickerprocessing.

EquiHealth Global Hope Digest

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