December 2020
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Newsletter - December 2020 Nº 40 CONTIGO In-Depth Learn more about the “Antena Ayos” News Find out about the most important project in Cameroon. news from our Provinces in recent months. Up close Several Sisters Hospitallers members #Committed tell us how they plan to celebrate the Meet Susana Martins, Lay Hospitaller holidays in times of COVID-19. from the Province of Portugal. 1 In-depht “Antena Ayos” project in Cameroon This project, which is supported by the Benedict Menni Foundation and the Pamplona City Council, aims to improve medical care and facilitate access to medical devices for people suffering from mental illness who live in communities far from the Yaundé health clinic. Year after year, the Benedict Menni Founda- lling in Italy; then, on 13 April 1993, the sisters tion works on development cooperation pro- embarked on their maiden voyage to Cameroon. jects that aim to improve mental health care in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This year the Mons. ZOA Jean, Archbishop of Yaundé, Foundation supports the “Antena Ayos” pro- granted his approval to establish the Co- ject, conceived by the Benoit Menni Mental ngregation in Yaundé. On 1 July 1993, the Health Clinic in Yaundé (Cameroon). The pro- Benoît Menni Mental Health Clinic opened, ject’s goal is to provide mental health care beginning its activity in the community’s own access to those who live in communities far house. from the clinic. Let’s take a look at the history of this centre and explore how this project In July 1994, a small facility was rented in Biye- came about. massi for psychiatric assessments, before buil- ding the centre on Mvolyé hill in the Efoulan History of the Benoit Menni Mental Health district, an area of 300,000 residents today. The Clinic in Yaundé local population is very diverse, a virtual mo- The history of the Mental Health Centre is ti- saic of all the tribes of Cameroon, and many ghtly linked to that of the Congregation in expatriates from Africa and Europe (laity). In Cameroon. It all began with the appearan- December 1995, operations began in this buil- ce of the first Cameroonian Hospitaller ca- ding. 2 In-depht The Yaunde project derives from the objecti- incidence of mental illness and one of the hi- ves of the Congregation, which promotes ca- ghest suicide rates in Africa (17.1/100,000 ring for those who suffer from mental illness in among men in 2016), Cameroon does not have their own environment. The model of care in a national mental health policy or relevant le- the African community is based on the creation gislation. In addition to a lack of institutional of dispensaries and outpatient centres in the protection, there is scant public spending allo- primary sector and the development of pro- cated to the issue, only 0.26% of total spending. grammes that aim to: The training and specialisation of mental health professionals are also minimal. - rehabilitate people suffering from mental illness; According to data from the World Health Observatory, only 0.003 of every 100,000 resi- - compensate for the effects the disease has on dents worked as psychiatrists in the country in the family unit; 2011. - contribute to the construction of a social spa- The “Antena Ayos” project ce that promotes integration. The Sisters Hospitallers centre in Yaundé is a beacon for patients suffering from mental The centre is located in the Yaundé III district, illness, as is evident from the statistics of tho- in the Yaundé III urban community, and the se treated. The number of patients grows year Efoulan health district. The Sisters Hospitallers’ after year, many of whom travel over 100 km Benedict Menni Healthcare Centre has become to visit this reputable centre. The daily moni- a benchmark given the positive nature of the toring of patients at the Yaundé Mental Health work it conducts, and it is considered by the Clinic shows that a significant portion arrives local population to be a true benefit to society, from remote locations. Over the years, many especially to those with fewer resources. people have arrived from towns like Ayos, Ebo- lowa, and Akonolinga, 150 km from Yaundé. Mental health in Cameroon Mental health in Cameroon has yet to beco- It is for this reason that the centre has crea- me a major priority. Despite having a high ted an “antennas” project, consisting of mobile This project aims to provide mental health care access to people living in communities far from the Yaundé centre. 3 In-depht The number of patients grows year after year, many of whom travel over 100 km to visit this reputable centre. teams that travel to these remote areas pro- said goodbye not long ago, to our great sadness. viding care to people suffering from mental illness. The project, which is supported by the Lend a helping hand to the Benedict Menni Benedict Menni Foundation and the Pamplona Foundation City Council, aims to improve medical care and You can join the Benedict Menni Foundation in facilitate access to medical devices for sufferers collaborating on this project and many other who live in communities far from the Yaundé initiatives, either as a volunteer or by making health clinic. a donation that will help our efforts to impro- ve mental health care in Africa, Asia, and Latin The mental health team from the clinic in Yaundé America. regularly travels to meet the residents of Ayos and Ebolowa, where they conduct consultations, Donations are welcome at this account: Banco deliver medication, and follow-up on treatments. Santander: IBAN: ES91-0049-1834-1129-1017- 7325 The project also entails raising awareness of mental health issues, mainly among relatives. You can contact the Foundation at: funda- Until recently, this project was made possible [email protected] or coordinadorfbm@hs- by the immense support and dedication of our cgen.org dear sister, Mercedes Gurbindo, to whom we 4 Up close The Christmas celebration in times of COVID-19 Pierangela Shaw Sherman Relative of a Sisters Hospitallers user in Uruguay. “It fills me with peace and joy to know that my mother is well cared for.” arrived, my mother’s medical care has been excellent and the sense of humanity in the home is incomparable. In her first year as a re- sident, she returned to a healthy weight and regained her spark and insight, despite her fai- ling memory. The centre offers her a refuge, where all of her needs are met. She has found spiritual support and affection, for which she is grateful every day. Christmas in excellent care This Christmas, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren had tickets to travel to Uruguay to spend the holidays with her, but “We are endlessly grateful to the they will not make the voyage due to COVID-19. home that cares for her. We see I will go alone and hope my brother can join us. her exercising, painting... activities We will avoid restaurants and the family gathe- that make life worth living.” rings of the past, but nevertheless, it will be a great joy and a tremendous blessing. We are grateful to the home that cares for her, My mother, Berta Sherman, has lived at the that keeps her pain-free and encourages her to Sisters Hospitallers’ Benito Menni geriatric celebrate life. We see her exercising, painting, centre in Montevideo (Uruguay) since attending Mass, watching movies, taking part July 2017. Before her admission, she was in events that make her feel happier than ever. increasingly confused and had suffered a se- rious episode of disorientation, which led us In light of the COVID-19 situation, I feel anxiety to seek professional help. After visiting seve- on a personal, family, and global level, but it fills ral centres for the elderly, we arrived at the me with peace and joy to know that my mother Sisters Hospitallers. Their home provides the is well cared for by the Sisters Hospitallers. My necessary medical care and a pleasant wish this Christmas is to feel her close, happy, environment in keeping with custom. Since she and safe, in the excellent care of the home. 5 Up close Joan Bertran Muñoz Medical doctor, Coordinator of internal medicine and bioethics at the Sisters Hospitallers’ San Rafael Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. “The Hospitaller community works to fulfil the mission of our founders” The celebration of the Eucharist will comply with current rules, and naturally, we will miss the participation of people from the neighbourhood, who typically join the sisters at Christmas. However, flyers will be distributed detailing the events that can be followed on TV or online (and how to connect). An attempt will also be made to continue the Children’s Drawing Contest, though the award ceremony will be virtual. As a safety precaution, we will discourage large numbers of people from gathering in a “The dedicated work of all the single space. We will also check for symptoms hospital co-workers strengthens of the virus and ensure people comply with the bonds of the Hospitaller the three basic rules: social distancing, hand community” washing, and facemasks. We will facilitate online communication to avoid any unnecessary visits and we will circulate information about all activities through the hospital website and email. Christmas in the hospital This year we prepare for Christmas a diffe- Bonds of the Hospitaller community rent way. The epidemiological indicators of The main difference will be social distancing, the SARS-CoV-2 virus have improved, and controlled capacity, and the need to celebrate now we must maintain basic epidemiological virtually, not just by viewing the broadcast, but norms: social distancing, hand washing, facema- by sharing comments and experiences through sks.