COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Situation of Our Counterparts

It's been six months since the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 a public emergency of international concern, and these are the figures: 16,812,755 cases worldwide with 662,095 deaths. Re-emergences in regions such as Europe (3,307,388 cases) are testing the phases of return to normal, while most countries in the Americas (9 million cases), Africa (893,365 cases), and Asia (1,949,850 cases) are experiencing an alarming increase in cases.

In Latin America, among the countries where we maintain active Juan Ciudad ONGD projects with San Juan de Dios centers, those that are experiencing the most complicated situations are Peru (395,005 cases), Colombia (267,387 cases) and Ecuador (83.193).

In the photo, food and protective materials are being delivered to a rural community in Chuquisaca, thanks to a JCONGD project with the Cristo de las Américas Hospital.

In Africa, the WHO also warned last week that infections are accelerating at an alarming rate, making it urgent to maintain prevention and control measures, as most countries have very fragile health infrastructure and a shortage of professionals. As for the countries with San Juan de Dios centers, where Juan Ciudad ONGD's counterparts are located, the three most affected are: Ghana (35,142 cases), Cameroon (17.255) and Kenya (19,913), although Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone are also reporting rising cases. In the photo above, a nurse attends to a patient at SJD Hospital in Koforidua.

That's why, We keep our “STOP Covid-19” campaign open to raise funds for the hospitals and other social-health centers of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God in Africa and Latin America, due to the complex situation they are facing due to the pandemic, so that they can continue to safely care for sick and vulnerable people.

As stated by the Brother Jesus Etayo, Superior General of the Hospitaller Order, said on July 26 in an interview with Vida Nueva Digital: “Our vow of hospitality commits us to providing the sick and needy with all necessary services, even at the risk of death. It's true that we can't do this haphazardly, but rather with the necessary measures and protections, following health regulations and protocols. But in a way, this is our time. We can't hide now. Nor can we hide when the health crisis is over, because the economic and social crisis is coming.”