Newsletter March 2019
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Newsletter March 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS: TBCHC Update International Health Update: Literacy in Developing Countries Target Population: Education in Liberia Journal and Resource Database For comments, revisions, or corrections, contact Dr. Brandis Belt [email protected] INTRODUCTION The purposes of the monthly newsletter are to improve group cohesion and to provide a forum for other interested parties to better understand our mission. You are encouraged to distribute it widely and contact TBCHC for any questions or concerns. More information regarding these topics and others is available on the website below: https://www.tbchc.org “Making a difference in healthcare, one community at a time!” TBCHC OVERVIEW We’re a nonprofit healthcare organization poised to deliver full-spectrum primary care services for the people of Liberia. Covering everything from preventative services and prenatal care, to HIV services, ophthalmology, dental care, and more, we’re on a mission to provide quality care that meets the international standard despite the resource limited environment. We will also serve as an international site for rotation of medical students, residents, attending pharmacists, nurses, physicians, social services and other volunteers in medicine, looking to provide critical support to the underserved regions of the world. The goal of quality care for all is a simple idea….. Financial and administrative support for our efforts is always greatly appreciated and the global community is grateful to have you as an ally. Financial support may be demonstrated by donations on the following website: https://www.gofundme.com/tbchc TBCHC UPDATE Administrative: Most recent Board meeting was 2/10/2019. Here are the current developments. New committees have been drawn up. If there is a committee you would like to join, please e-mail the committee chairperson for more information: Fundraising—Dr. Toomey Public Relations—Dr. Brooks Compliance Committee—Ms. Nelson-Davies Strategic Planning — Mr. Johnson Bylaws/Constitution—Dr. Bucek TBCHC UPDATE Logistical: A preliminary rendering of the clinical space has been drawn up. Board members are encouraged to comment on the renderings sent via e-mail. Dr. Bucek and Dr. Brooks plan to postpone next needs-assessment trip to Liberia until August or September 2019. Member Updates: Dr. Belt has started working at RWJ-Somerset with Board members Dr. Brooks, Dr. Bucek, and Dr. Toomey. Excellent! TBCHC UPDATE Fundraising: All Board members are encouraged to send fundraising letters to an extended circle of friends and family this month as our fundraising efforts continue to expand. Please contact Dr. Brooks for copies of letterhead, if needed. Our first -6 month goal was to raise $35,000 for consulting fees and land acquisition costs. The “Friends of the Organization” list is being maintained by Dr. Belt, and Board members are encouraged to forward contact information for donors and other interested parties. TBCHC UPDATE Next Steps All Board members should e-mail the committee chairperson with their Committee interests this month. Look for more committee work to start this month. Opening date for first Liberian site set to mid 2021. Interested in presenting? Within the next few weeks a standard PowerPoint explaining the Brooks Community Health Center goals and mission will be created for capacity building. INTERNATIONAL HEALTH UPDATE: Literacy in Developing Countries According to UNESCO, 1 in 4 young adults in developing countries are unable to read a sentence or demonstrate even basic literary skills. This figure represents almost 175 million people and nearly 1 in 2 young women in poor countries. In fact, 2/3 of the illiterate adults in these countries are women. Included in this UN report is the startling figure that 10 countries (India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Brazil, In- donesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) are home to 75% of the illiterate adults living in developing countries. In general, literacy rates continue to have positive correlation with per capita GDP, with only a few outliers. Though these statistics have improved slowly over the past few decades, the world has missed the Millenium Development Goal of achieving uni- versal primary education by 2015. Worldwide, 91% of school-aged children were enrolled in school in 2015. In Sub-Saharan Africa the net enrollment percentage is 79%. The overall number of out-of-school children has declined from 100 to 61 million children from 2000 to 2015 with relative stagnation in these numbers since 2007. As expected, enrollment rates go down as the age of the student increases and globally only 80% of young secondary school (junior high school or middle school)-aged children are enrolled in school. At the same time, the bottom graph on this page reflects the fact that many tertiary (university) school students continue to lag behind junior secondary school students in richer countries. One reason for this statistic is low educational funding in most developing countries, leading to severe teacher and infrastructure shortcomings. Of those who have gone to primary school for 4 years or more, there is an estimated 250 million students who still have not learned basic reading and math skills due to teacher shortages or the use of untrained teachers. The graph below shows the level of teacher literacy in multiple countries of various GDPs and allows us to notice teacher literacy in the the three weakest countries on the graph (Kenya, Bolivia, and Ghana) is below that of junior secondary school students in the world’s richer countries. TARGET POPULATION: Education in Liberia During the years of Liberian civil war, few schools stayed open, mostly in urban areas, leaving thousands of students without the opportunity to get a structured education. In addition, approximately 60% of school buildings and physical infrastructure were damaged during the fighting. For these reasons and more, Liberia lags behind most African countries in terms of education statistics, according to UNICEF. Lowest female literacy rates worldwide, percentages It has one of the world’s highest out-of-school percentages with approximately 15-20% of 6 to 14 years olds out of school. Through new UNICEF programming approximately 1/3 of preschoolers have access to pre-K opportunities, while only 54% are projected to finish primary school. In terms of literacy, it is projected that the universal literacy rate in Liberia is just under 1/2 of the population at 47.6%. For female adults, the literacy rate in 2015 was 32.8%. Government schools are decentralized and pre-university schooling is a 10 year process, though many students are outside of the usual age expectations for the grade they are enrolled in. Parents with the ability to send their children to private schools enjoy a privilege outside of what most Liberian families can afford. Private schools avoid some of the understaffing and low resource problems of many public schools. For those who are privileged to attend it, the University of Liberia is the oldest degree-granting university in West Africa and is accredited by the Liberian Commission on Higher Education. Classes are taught in English and the academic year runs from March to December. Baccaleureate degrees are available after 4 years while the medical degree is a 7 year program. Graduates are required to give one year of service to rural areas. There is only one law school in the country. Seal of the University of Liberia Motto: Light out of the darkness Recognized University schools Public University of Liberia, Monrovia, Montserrado County (17,620 students as of 2009)[2] William V. S. Tubman University, Cape Palmas, Maryland County, formerly William V.S. Tubman College of Tech- nology (288 students as of 2009)[2] Private African Bible College University, Yekepa, Nimba County (65 students as of 2009)[2] African Methodist Episcopal University, Montserrado County (3,432 students as of 2009)[2] African Methodist Episcopal Zion University, Montserrado County (2,325 students as of 2009)[2] Cuttington University, Suacoco, Bong County, oldest private and coeducation university in Africa (2,287 students as of 2009)[2] Stella Maris Polytechnic, Monrovia, Montserrado County (2,090 students as of 2009)[2] United Methodist University, Monrovia, Montserrado County (3,118 students as of 2009)[2] Adventist University of West Africa, Marshall, Margibi County, Starz Institute of Technology, Monrovia, Montserrado County, Barshell University, Paynesville, Montserrado County, Smythe Institute of Management and Technology, Monrovia, Montserrado county St. Clement University, Paynesville, Montserrado County Community colleges Grand Bassa Community College, Grand Bassa County[1] Grand Gedeh County Community College, Grand Gedeh County Nimba County Community College, Nimba County Sinoe Community College, Sinoe County[3] Trinity Bible Community College, Margibi County[1] JOURNAL AND RESOURCE DATABASE: Citations https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jan/29/ illiteracy-education-young-people-developing-countries https://www.cgdev.org/blog/literacy-adults-developing-countries- new-data-skills-survey https://data.unicef.org/topic/education/secondary-education/ https://www.unicef.org/liberia/basic-education https://photius.com/rankings/2018/population/ literacy_female_2018_image.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Liberia https://www.pinterest.com/drelainemartin/rebuilding-liberias- healthcare-system/ FUTURE TOPICS: Next Board meeting will be March 3rd, 2019 April Issue TBCHC Update International Health Update: “Worldwide” Holidays Target Population: Seasons and Weather in Liberia Journal and Resource Database Rainy season photo .