Project Mercy 2019: Community Health Education Conference

Community Health Education Conference, Yetebon, 10-19-19

With a first-ever, standing-room-only crowd of 300+ members of the community, Community Health Education was introduced in Yetebon! Sarah Jones, M.D., of the Bay Area Medical Mission, shared the results of the health assessments and treatments of 563 students this past week. Her findings included:

• All students were treated for parasites.

• 56% had abnormally low body weights.

• 1/3 had lice.

• 1/4 had scalp or skin fungal infections.

• 10% had trachoma.

• 10% needed dental treatment.

• A smaller but significant number had scabies.

She termed these findings a “sad discovery”.

However, she shared the “good news”: Treatment, in addition to medications, targeting problem root causes, could have a significant impact upon reducing their occurrence. This proposed direction was enthusiastically received by all!

Dr Jones concluded saying that the community was united by a common goal: providing quality care for their children’s bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits. Though this team will be leaving in 4 days, CHE implementation will be carried out by Ato Melaku, the CHE consultant, through bi-weekly visits to the villages and homes of the community.

Dr. Sarah Jones presenting her data .

The local community mostly parents showed up for CHE

Sister Masarate teaching the fathers about how important nutrition is, starting in the womb. She was telling them to make sure their pregnant wives got lots of food.