Last week I received a message from a Doctors Without Borders aid worker in Malawi. I was amazed that she would take the time to encourage me with my endeavors while she deals with life and death cases. Her comments brought home the message that my efforts and donor contributions are having a real time impact. Here is what Kerri had to say...
Dear Kay,
My name is Kerri Kelly and not only am I an aid worker for Doctors Without Borders, but I’m an IRONMAN finisher too. I arrived in Malawi a few weeks ago as the Head of Mission (our version of Country Director) for Doctors Without Borders. Let me share with you how donations like yours are being put to work in the program here. It is an HIV/AIDS program where there are 34,000 patients under treatment. We support 10 rural health centers and the HIV clinic at the District Hospital. The incidence rate of HIV in the district is 17%, and of women my age (in their 40’s) the rate is 35%. The volume of work here is incredible. In 2001, we were the first organization to offer free care for HIV.
In 2013, we started to roll out point-of-care laboratory testing at the health centers. This is the only place in sub-Saharan Africa where you can get a viral load test at a health center. This step is really innovative and will enable Doctors Without Borders teams to identify patients who are failing first line HIV drug treatments in a timely manner. It is a great improvement in access to care for our patients.
I hope that your training is going as great as your fundraising! Thank you!
Cheers - Kerri
Dear Kay,
My name is Kerri Kelly and not only am I an aid worker for Doctors Without Borders, but I’m an IRONMAN finisher too. I arrived in Malawi a few weeks ago as the Head of Mission (our version of Country Director) for Doctors Without Borders. Let me share with you how donations like yours are being put to work in the program here. It is an HIV/AIDS program where there are 34,000 patients under treatment. We support 10 rural health centers and the HIV clinic at the District Hospital. The incidence rate of HIV in the district is 17%, and of women my age (in their 40’s) the rate is 35%. The volume of work here is incredible. In 2001, we were the first organization to offer free care for HIV.
In 2013, we started to roll out point-of-care laboratory testing at the health centers. This is the only place in sub-Saharan Africa where you can get a viral load test at a health center. This step is really innovative and will enable Doctors Without Borders teams to identify patients who are failing first line HIV drug treatments in a timely manner. It is a great improvement in access to care for our patients.
I hope that your training is going as great as your fundraising! Thank you!
Cheers - Kerri
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