International Outreach Update
March 2020

We would like to share with you upcoming events, resources and points of interest related to International Outreach. For additional information, please contact Bruce Compton, CHA senior director of International Outreach.

EVENTS
ARTICLES & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PRAYER & INSPIRATION
CHA RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

EVENTS

CHA International Outreach Networking Conference Call
April 29, 2020, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. ET
If you have a program topic you would like to highlight (5 minutes) or open for group discussion, please be sure to email me directly or speak up during the open forum. More details and dial-in information can be found here.
» Add this event to your calendar

The 2020 Global Summit, The Power of Partnerships in Global Health, June 9 – 11, 2020
Co-hosted by The Task Force for Global Health's MedSurplus Alliance and the Catholic Health Association of the United States, following the conclusion of the 2020 Catholic Health Assembly, the Summit will be held at The Task Force's Atlanta headquarters. The Summit will bring together an array of international speakers and workshop presenters from health care, public health, corporations, government, non-governmental organizations, medical missions, medical supplies sectors and academia for a forum like none other.
» Learn more and register today to receive discounted pricing

Summary from CHA's Feb. 4 International Outreach Networking Call

USCCB Update – Stephen Hilbert, international policy advisor, International Justice and Peace, at the USCCB, provided background on how he and his colleagues assist the bishops in advancing the social mission of the Church on international justice and peace through policy development, advocacy, education, outreach and acts of ecclesial solidarity. Hilbert also indicated that there are four advisors at USCCB International Justice and Peace, and that each covers a different continent / region of the world.
» Learn more about USCCB International Justice and Peace

USAID Faith-Based Update – Brian Klotz, deputy director, Center for Faith & Opportunity Initiatives (CFOI), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided a brief overview of their ongoing activities. Klotz indicated that the office is an appropriate entry point for faith and community-based organizations to learn more about USAID and how it works. In addition, the CFOI can act as a liaison to make introductions to the bureaus and country mission offices for those from faith and community-based organizations.

USAID Global Health Bureau – Dianna Lightfoot, advisor, Global Health Bureau, USAID, provided an update on activities related to the Global Health Bureau and the New Partnerships Initiative.
» Learn more about the New Partnerships Initiative.

Medline Overview – Francesca Olivier, senior director, Innovation and Social Responsibility, Medline Industries Inc., provided an overview of Medline and its social responsibility programs.
» Read more about Medline's social responsibility programs

Medical Surplus Recovery Initiatives – Georgia Winson, president and executive director, Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (HSMO), provided an update on the work of her organization, as well as the medical surplus industry accreditation and the increased focus on accountability and quality. She also indicated that medical surplus without standards carries heavy financial and efficiency costs and increases health care risks due to poor quality donations.
» Learn more about HSMO and their work

Medline – Mission Outreach Roundtable Conversation – Georgia Winson and Francesca Olivier provided an update on a collaborative supply chain initiative that they have convened. The goals include: Convene roundtable participants, develop a broad problem statement, break down the problem statement into components that can be addressed in partnership, identify demonstration partner(s), test-drive solutions, integrate lessons learned, fine-tune, customize and replicate.

ARTICLES & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Global Health Column from Health Progress: "Thinking Globally - The Guiding Principles: More than Sentiment"
Excerpt: Through its global health initiatives, the Catholic Health Association works to assist its members, our church partners and the greater global community to promote and implement goals supported by our deepest religious and ethical values. These goals are spelled out in the Guiding Principles for Conducting International Health Activities. Developed in collaboration with CHA members and published in 2015, the principles call for accountability, authentic partnership and evaluation.

But do they matter? Five years after publication, are the Guiding Principles relevant, recognized and part of conversations?
» Read more

Global News from the Guardian: "Ethiopia Detains 13 Canadians Accused of Improperly Practicing Medicine"
Excerpt: Authorities in Ethiopia have detained 13 Canadian health care workers and volunteers, alleging the group was improperly practicing medicine in the country. Canadian Humanitarian, a non-profit organization based in the province of Alberta, confirmed the detentions but denied allegations it had distributed expired medication or was offering medical services without prior approval.
» Read more

WHO CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

WHO Technical Guidance for Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
This resource provides technical guidance by topic including: Country Readiness, Patient Management, Risk Communication and Community Engagement, Points of entry / mass gatherings, Surveillance and Case Definitions, Infection Prevention and Control / WASH, Disease Commodity Package, Laboratory Guidance, and Reduction of Transmission from Animals to Humans.
» Access the guidance

WHO Epi-Win Coronavirus FAQS
The risk of being infected by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is dependent upon where you live or have travelled recently. The risk of infection is higher in areas with circulating virus, meaning where many people are infected by it. At present, COVID-19 is circulating in China where more than 90% of people infected by the virus have been reported.
» Read more

WHO Coronavirus Mythbusters
Not everything you hear about coronavirus (COVID-19) is true, seek advice and information from trusted sources, as myths and rumors can be damaging to public health. Here are the answers to some of the common 'myths' or questions about coronavirus (COVID-19).
» Read more

WHO Rights, Roles and Responsibilities of Healthcare Workers
Health workers are at the front line of any outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection with an outbreak pathogen (in this case COVID-19). This document highlights the rights and responsibilities of health workers, including specific measures needed to protect occupational safety and health.
» Read more

WHO Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for COVID-19
This technical brief supplements existing IPC documents by referring to and summarizing WHO guidance on water, sanitation and health care waste which is relevant for viruses (including coronaviruses).
» Read more

PRAYERS & INSPIRATION

A Prayer for World Water Day, March 22, 2020
God of living water, you nourish and bring abundance to the bodies of all. Give us a deep desire to support and lead our communities by reducing our environmental footprint on clean water. May we consider both individually and
communally as the ministry of health care the sacredness of our planet and
the singular life-giving powers of water. We ask this in your holy name.
» Access full prayer
» Access video reflection resources

A Prayer for World Health Day, April 7, 2020
On this day, we remember the countless ways the Church carries out the healing ministry of Jesus. In our neighborhoods we see ever present the need to do as Jesus did in his early ministry, to draw near to those who are sick and most vulnerable.
» Access full prayer

CHA Resource Spotlight