I just looked and it has been less than two months since my last blog post. (Skywatcher99.blogpost.com) That really does not seem possible. It like forever a go. So much has changed so rapidly, not only in my world but in the world around me. The last few weeks have been especially busy and full of change. For many weeks now the world has been dealing with Covid 19. For a lot of that time the ship seemed shelter from it. Still going on with surgery and hoping to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor.
On March 2nd, Senegal announced its first reported case of Covid-19. A citizen of Senegal returning from vacation on Europe brought it with them. Within a few days it was 4 cases, all contained in the hospital. A few days later more cases imported in a similar manner on the other side of Senegal. This time it was not found right away, and person to person spread began within Senegal. All of this was being closely monitor by both the government of Senegal and our teams of experts both on the ship and in our national offices.
On March 14th things changed drastically. A decision was made that continuing to bring in volunteers from around a world that was in crisis, would be irresponsible and even dangerous. The first rule of medicine is do no harm. With that in mind, continuing to import people into Senegal put our patients, our staff and even the country of Senegal as risk for this disease. As a result the decision was made to end our field service early. We created a safe "bubble" with the staff who were already present, and stopped any one else from coming. Sadly future surgeries, with the exception of a few still onboard, were canceled. Arrangements were made for the patients to be cared for in our absence if they still needed care, and the ship began to pack up. During this time hundreds of volunteers began to depart Senegal while the crisis around the world escalated. Difficult decisions were made about who should go and who could stay.
Information changed on a daily basis and teams of people poured over the information to make the best decisions possible. Around the 16th of March it was announced that the Dakar airport would close down. Many crew members were sent out on the available flights and on Friday March 20th I drove the last group to the airport for the last flight out. It was an emotional time as none of us wanted the field service to end this way. Everyone wants to keep the promised made to the people of Senegal. Those still waiting for their surgery date. Many tears were shed, many prayers lifted. As I returned to the ship from the airport, I was told that one more flight was being arranged by the American Embassy. I was informed that along with 34 other Americans, I would be flying out the next morning. In an effort to keep as many people as safe as possible anyone with high risk factors was sent home. As you may know, the medicine I take for my RA, puts me at high risk.
In a whirlwind of activity I packed my cabin, and tried to prepare another nurse to take over my role of caring for the crew. There is much to do as the crew nurse before a sail, and I tried to think of everything that needed to be passed on. Vaccination list, supply lists, who is sick, what to watch for, who to speak to , and on and on. After a very short night it was off to the airport. A very different picture than the night before. When I dropped people off the airport was packed. people milling about on the sidewalks and cars parked end to end and double parked, everyone trying to get out. Now it was quiet, our caravan of vehicle were the only ones present when we arrived. Soon other Americans began to arrive as well. Embassy workers, Peace Corp volunteers and so on. About half of us including myself were wearing masks. Everyone seemed a little nervous and yet everyone was kind. There was no pushing or yelling. Just a calm hurry up and wait. It took about 5 hours but we finally took off for our direct flight to Washington DC. The flight was uneventful. For me, the first time ever flying direct from Africa with no stops in Europe, no layovers, it was really nice.
As we landed in DC, it was a bit surreal to get a taste of what we had been missing. It was a ghost town. Granted it was almost midnight on a Sunday, but NOTHING was open. We were the only flight arriving at that time and were quickly through customs and immigration. No one else in baggage. No stores open, no restaurants. Nothing. It was quite strange. A few hours later a snack shop did open and we were able to get coffee and my first bagel in 8 months which made me very happy. After sitting around for 4 hours waiting for my next flight, I was sent a cancellation notice. Flight canceled. I quickly check and found the next flight would be at 2pm. nearly 10 hours away. yuck. I waited an hour for the counter to open and talk with the attendant. We decided it was quite likely that the next flight would cancel as well. So, I decided to rent a car and drive the rest of the way. That was another adventure entirely but eventually I had a car and headed south.
One beautiful blessing is driving through Virginia and seeing the arrival of spring. In the midst of all that is happening , a lovely reminder of the promise God gives us. That he alone can bring life out of that which seems dead. The trees are bursting forth with new life. The daffodils are up reaching for the sky praising their creator, the cherry and pear trees exploding in flowers and fragrance. It made for a lovely end to a long journey.
So what now? That is a good question!! I am currently in quarantine in Southwest Virginia. Day 3 and 11 more to go. It has been restful and peaceful. My plan is to return to the ship as soon as I am allowed. I recently had signed another 2 year extension which take me to June of 2022. My heart is to be with my crew and it was very difficult to leave. But when the leaders that God has placed over you make a decision, I believe you must submit, so here I am .I hope to rejoin them in shipyard if this crazy situation settles down. I had planned to be home for a few weeks this summer , so this just pushed it up by a few months. For now it is wait. Wait to see what God has planned, wait to see what he wants me to do in the short term, and wait to see what happens on a global level.
The ship has plans of its own. I will add their most recent blog to this at the end. (from Mercy Ships NZ )Thank you for standing with me, for your prayers and support. If you have questions for me don't hesitate to email me. I hope to have my phone up and running in the next few days. Please know I am praying for each of you in this challenging time and changing world. May Christ be your comfort.
For King and Kingdom,
Jennifer
MERCY SHIPS ANSWER TO COVID-19.
The evolving situation of COVID-19, highlighted by the WHO as a pandemic and the increasing travel restrictions applied by several countries, have made it impossible for Mercy Ships to continue to carry out its programs to the required standards, while protecting against the possible spread of the virus.
Therefore, in line with the measures taken by the President of Senegal and in consultation with the Ministry of Health, Mercy Ships has reviewed the activities associated with the Africa Mercy and made the decision to suspend the programmatic activities in Senegal.
The main concerns of Mercy Ships are the health of the Senegalese people and the safety and well-being of our own volunteers, crew and staff worldwide. Following the suspension of the programmatic activities, we are presently considering alternative ports for the Africa Mercy.
Annually the vessel undergoes routine maintenance and we currently are assessing how we can accelerate the commencement of that work. This would enable us to bring the Africa Mercy back to Africa once the immediate crises is over and continue our mission to bring Hope and Healing to the forgotten poor. Mercy Ships is also evaluating how the organization, given certain operational limitations, can be utilized to assist in the global COVID-19 response.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 Mercy Ships has focused on three main actions:
- Looking after the patients under our care, including development of plans for the completion of their treatments in partnership with local healthcare services in Senegal.
- Caring for our crew members, our local volunteers in Dakar and our staff globally by following the infection control practices according to best public health guidance from the CDC and WHO
- Adapting our longer term plans to fulfill our mission to provide surgical care and medical capacity training.
FAQ’s
Have any COVID-19 infections been detected on the Africa Mercy?
Up to this point none of our patients nor crew onboard the Africa Mercy have presented with the COVID-19 infection. Crew shore leave was suspended and additional measures of hygiene and social interaction has been implemented in order to prevent infection onboard.
Why can’t the Mercy Ships be deployed to help against Corona virus Spread?
Although the Africa Mercy is a hospital ship, it is essentially a surgical specialist unit. The vessel is not suited to take care of patients with a highly contagious respiratory disease.
Mercy Ships relies on a volunteer staffing model using professional medical volunteers from around the world. The current unprecedented situation has presented a unique operational challenge as many of our medical volunteers have been asked to assist with the COVID -19 crisis in their home countries. In addition, the global air transport shutdown has resulted in our inability to continue to operate the hospital facility safely. Mercy Ships is also evaluating how the organization, given certain operational limitations, can be utilized to assist in the global COVID-19 response.
How are the patients onboard? What was accomplished in Senegal before the crisis hit?
The last patients and their caregivers left the vessel on March 23. Despite the suspension of our activities, we are grateful that during the Africa Mercy’s 8-month stay (we had planned to be in Senegal for 10 months) in the port of Dakar, Republic of Senegal, Mercy Ships provided over 1,400 life-changing surgeries onboard (from the planned 1,200-1,700). Volunteer medical professionals treated over 5,500 dental patients (we had planned for 4,000) at a land-based dental clinic as well as provided healthcare training to 1,270 local medical professionals (initial plans were from 1,000 to 1,500) through mentoring and courses in partnership with 17 hospitals throughout Senegal.
How are the patients who cannot have surgery now?
This challenging situation worldwide means that some of our patients are now unable to have the surgery they had hoped for in Senegal. As we define options for our future programmatic activities in Africa, we take into account a possible return to Senegal to finish our mission once the restrictions ease.
What about the volunteers onboard?
After Mercy Ships reviewed the activities associated with the Africa Mercy and made the decision to suspend the programmatic activities in Senegal, no new patients were admitted. Following the decision not to take on further patients, a number of short-term crew volunteers and Senegalese day crew supported by Mercy Ships to return home to their countries and incoming volunteer travel cancelled. The crew onboard of the vessel today will sail the vessel to its next destination. We are grateful for their efforts in recent months in these uncertain times.
Is the Africa Mercy leaving Senegal and where is it going next?
Yes, the Africa Mercy is leaving Senegal two months earlier than planned to begin the ship’s yearly maintenance according to maritime regulations. Our aim is to use this advanced maintenance to bring the Africa Mercy back to Africa so that we can continue our mission to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor once the restrictions ease.
Mercy Ships is also evaluating how, given our operational limitations, the ship can be utilized to assist in the global COVID-19 response
What can I do to support Mercy Ships at this time?
During this challenging season, we ask you to please pray for our crew and volunteers and for our offices around the world, many of whom are joining the ranks of those working from home and in lockdown situations within their countries. We also pray for our donors and friends around the world, knowing that these are uncertain times around the world. Your support, which is even more crucial now to help Mercy Ships so that we can continue provision of surgical care as soon as the situation permits.
For more than 40 years, Mercy Ships has focused on bringing hope and healing to those we serve. For the past 30 years, we have concentrated our efforts in Africa. During those three decades, we have worked to strengthen local healthcare systems. We are encouraged by the good results we have realized through direct surgical care for patients and by training local healthcare professionals. We are eager to do even more in the future.
As we face these challenging events, we would like to thank you for your ongoing prayers and support to Mercy Ships and our mission to bring Hope and Healing to the world’s forgotten poor.
For questions or further information, please contact:
Diane Rickard, International media liaison
diane.rickard@mercyships.org
or
Jitze Kramer, VP Global Branding
Jitze.kramer@mercyships.org
