June 2022 Update from IHP

Charles Powell writing:

We continue to work on transition of the Board of IHP-JEMA-TZ, with new members and restructuring at hand. There are decisions to be made, papers to be filed. Things progress somewhat slowly at times in Tanzania, pole pole, [slowly] but we will arrive eventually. We are gearing up for a return to Tanzania and hosting some students. Final decisions have not been made but we are moving in that direction. This is an exciting prospect. Unfortunately, you will also find news of a setback that Paula will convey. I do hope that we can host teams in the near future.

I have spent a glorious week completely off the grid. It was wonderful R&R, but then the realities of your responsibilities all flood back at one. Still, I wouldn't trade the time off for more work! Blessings to the supporters of IHP-US and the work that we have done and hope to do at Zinga.

Charles W. Powell, MD President, IHP-US

Dr. Jesse Kitundu writing:

Nuru [A name that translates to “Light.”] is an eight-year-old girl who was brought by her mother to the clinic for consultation. She has had a rash that started six months ago on her face and has spread to her arms and then to her legs, and within three months her entire body was involved.

Nuru was taken to a local herbalist but after a week the condition worsened, and the family came to our clinic.

We have stopped the local herbal medication. We tested renal function (kidneys) and her liver and got a full blood picture. Our diagnosis is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Nuru will be treated and carefully followed.

It is your donations that enable families like Nuru’s to access care for her. Thank you.

From Wikipedia:

There is no cure for SLE.[1] Treatments may include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate.[1] Although corticosteroids are rapidly effective, long-term use results in side effects.[5] Alternative medicine has not been shown to affect the disease.[1] Life expectancy is lower among people with SLE.[6]SLE significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease with this being the most common cause of death.[4] With modern treatment about 80% of those affected survive more than 15 years.[3] Women with lupus have pregnancies that are higher risk but are mostly successful.[1]

Paula and Denny writing:

Sele reports that last week at Zinga was not easy.

In just a couple of days, there was a feeling of “What ELSE can go wrong?”

· The transfer switch for the 50 KVA generator burnt out almost causing a fire. Sele burnt his hand pulling the hot cable off when there were no tools at hand.

· Two of the air conditioners stopped working on the same day; one in the pharmacy, necessary to give meds a longer shelf-life, and one in the x-ray room to keep the equipment sufficiently cool to work.

· The water filtration unit stopped working, but Sele was able to fix it within a day.

Sele is compiling a list of what parts and labor are going to cost to make all the necessary repairs.

We’re announcing the very exciting $25,000 “Christmas in July” grant challenge to assist with the construction at Zinga.

A donor from Idaho has issued the challenge and is giving us free rein on how to use it. After discussion, we decided to investigate the cost of going solar. We’ve been discussing it for years, even getting an estimate some time ago that it might be around $25K per building. But that was then.

The national electric grid goes out frequently. Almost all power in Tanzania is hydroelectric, and during the dry season when the rivers and reservoirs are low, there just isn’t enough power to turn those turbines. Power sharing is usual, when it goes off in one city, it comes back on in another. The problem is there is no “schedule,” so it always comes as a surprise, and an inconvenience. It may be off for 10 minutes, or for four days. You just never know. Solar will make all the difference for the safety of our patients and our ability to serve them.

The donor is giving us until the end of August to match the grant. Will you help us to make it?

In Memoria:

With deep sadness I’d like to note the passing of my cousin, Les Landau, D.O., from a heart attack. Les led one of the first surgical missions for IHP when we were still at Iambi. Les continued to come to Tanzania, came to Nyakato, and was on our IHP-U.S. Board. He was planning another surgical mission to come to Zinga in 2023. He was 66 years old and a fine surgeon who also enjoyed sharing his skills with the Tanzanian colleagues who worked with him. He was a gifted surgeon and teacher.

We would also like to thank the family of Arno Stahle from Peachtree Road Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Georgia, who have designated IHP as the recipient of his memorial donations.

Your donations enable IHP to keep the clinic at Zinga open to all who need care. Thank you.

You choose how you spend your money. If you choose to spend it to help poor families at Zinga in Tanzania, please send a check to:

IHP – Duane Quanbeck, Treasurer

2420 N 6th Ave. E.

Newton, IA. 50208-2651

Or

Go to our website, www.ihptz.org and click on Donate

Or

Call Duane at 641-831-9170 and he’ll charge your credit or debit card.

Thank you.

Blessings and gratitude,

Paula and Denny

HELLO IHP FRIENDS,

This is the time again we share with you guys to let you know what is happening here at Zinga Bagamoyo.

With construction, we still don't have any project going on right now, But, we are still busy doing repairs. Our big generator is broken. This is our back up, we use it when the government power is not available.

The automatic transfer switch is burnt out, and a few little things were also burnt out plus we are doing maintenance for the generator.

We are reaching out to get quotations for solar power, especially for the x-ray building. This is because the Tanesco power is not stable and we are burning our equipment. If we have solar, since it is stable, then our equipment will be much safer. We are getting the quotation from Tanzania, Kenya, and China. Thank you so much for being with us for all this time. We were in need. You have never left us alone.

Thank you, Thank you and Thank you very much. Best Regards, Selemani

--

Paula Lofstrom Managing Director International Health Partners, US & Tz Pray, believing.Act on your faith and go forward. God is always with you. Love is always the answer.