Covid-19

 
Around the world the Covid-19 pandemic is on everyone’s mind. For those of us who support and care about the ministry of HAU, some might be wondering how it is affecting the university and its hospitals.  

The continent of Africa as of Friday had more than 18,000 confirmed virus cases, but the country of Burundi has had only 6 of those. Experts have said Africa is weeks behind Europe in the pandemic and the rate of increase has looked alarmingly similar. The World Bank recently approved a $5 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to respond to the threat posed by Covid-19 and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness in Burundi, focusing on prevention and containment strategies. 


Hope Africa University is proactively implementing strategies to prevent the transmission of disease, and the HAU medical leaders have been closely watching and learning from what is happening in other countries as the virus spreads. Local seamstresses at Kibuye Hope Hospital have been making double-layer cloth masks for employees which are sterilized each night.  Additional hand-washing stations have been established, and non-essential large group meetings have been curtailed. 

The Friends of Hope Africa University board recently met and identified a small advisory committee to provide support to the leaders of HAU as they address this coming crisis. This team includes a medical doctor, a public health professional, and other key members which we hope will be a good resource as decisions and contingency plans are made. 


Let us continue to pray together for God's protection of HAU, Kibuye, Burundi, and the world during this time.

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