Ntamugenga Hospital has been on the front line in the fight against the coronavirus for the past few days! More patients are being admitted to the hospital every day. So far, tests have confirmed positive results in 9 patients. Two people have died.

The situation is much worse in the medical centres in the neighbouring villages. We have to act decisively because the situation in Ntamugenga may become more complicated in the next few days. One of the nurses, Francoise, is ill with Covid, and 8 other members of the team have contracted malaria.

We are reorganising the hospital so that those infected do not come into contact with other patients. We have recently been admitting many people with severe complications resulting from malaria. These are people on the edge of life and death, needing transfusions and intensive care. Any infection could kill them.

Today we sent another round of tests to Congo, as there, basic tools and medicines needed to fight against the epidemic are hard to come by. Our driver is on his way back from Goma. He has stocked up on essential medicines. We can afford to buy larger amounts thanks to you and to the fundraiser launched a few days ago. The collection is still ongoing and you can support us at any time. All hands on deck! Kongo needs us very much again!

Sister Agnieszka writes to us as follows: “Thanks to you we can now have that which is completely out of reach for other health centres. We have tests, efficient, modern pulse oximeters, oxygen concentrators, disinfectants and basic medicines. Fidel, our tailor, is now sewing mattresses because we want to create an additional Covid ward in the premises of the nutrition centre. The centre itself will be temporarily moved to another location. Patients in the best condition are being discharged home to make as much room as possible in the hospital for more severe cases. The worst is yet to come!”

“The Congolese government cannot be counted on. There is no doubt in the minds of those involved in the Congolese health care system that this country has no money to fight the pandemic. The lives of the patients in the hospital in Ntamugenga are in our (and your) hands!

In addition to an infrastructure of medical supplies and an efficient, healthy team, we also need your words of support and your shares. The pandemic makes us feel alone, it closes borders, separates and alienates us. In Poland you experienced this a few months ago, now we feel the impact very strongly. You can help us get through this situation by showing us that we are not alone,” says Sister Agnieszka.