12 Feb February 2025
When I sit down to write these introductions for you each month, I have a few pastor friends that I turn to for inspiration. If you don’t have a friend who can inspire you to think about God’s word, I would encourage you this month to find one. I’m always happy to share mine:)
The verse that I read was from Exodus 14:14 which reads, “The Lord will fight for you. You only need to be still”. Wow! Be still … There are not many things in this world that encourage us to practice stillness. Emails, phone calls, caring for loved ones, work, church, friends, kids, sports, TV and I could go on. We live in a fast paced world and this verse beautifully opposes that hurriedness. I hope you find opportunities to be still this month and trust that God has your back.
Hypertension in the United States affects almost half of the population. It seems odd to say, but the plague of hypertension is one thing that we have in common with our brothers and sisters in Africa. Our February newsletter comes to us this month from Jackson Kalekwa, Clinical Officer in Charge in Zambia. He shares with us the initiatives in place to battle hypertension that are made possible through the generosity of our CAMM supporters. This is another reminder of how important it is that we continue
to keep CAMM in our prayers and offer our support when we are able.
Ongoing needs for supplies at both the Zambia and Malawi clinics.
Sunscreen lotion (SPF 50)
Sun hats (infant – adult)
Pill bottles
Onesies (infant – 2 years)
Pants/leggings (infant – 2 years)
Booties/socks
Washcloths (crochet ones are great but all work)
Baby blankets
XL Ziploc bags
Hand sanitizer
ADDRESS BOXES FOR MALAWI
LUTHERAN MOBILE CLINIC
P.O. Box 30339 • Lilongwe 3, Malawi, AFRICA
ADDRESS BOXES FOR ZAMBIA
LUTHERAN MISSION RURAL HEALTH CENTER
(Mwembezhi)
P.O. Box 310005 • Chelston Lusaka, Zambia, AFRICA
Additional shipping information and tips can be found on our website at camm.us/howtohelp/
“The Lord will fight for you. you only need to be still.” exodus 14:14
HYPERTENSION AT LUTHERAN MISSION RURAL HEALTH CENTER (MWEMBEZHI)
The hypertension program started when the clinic saw the need. Patients were travelling to hospitals in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) for drugs refill. This is about 50 miles from
Mwembezhi area. Due to lack of funds, most of the patients were unable to travel to Lusaka. In 2004, we had 7 patients who suffered strokes in our catchment area, of those 3 of them died the same month because of hypertension. Seeing the need, we began the program for those who were not able to go to Lusaka for treatment and medications.
The program began with only 10 patients. The number has kept on increasing so much that now, we have 561 hypertensive patients. To make sure we attend to patients in line with the ministry of health policy, members of staff sat and started a special blood pressure clinic one Saturday per month. Since Saturday is not a working day, it helped members of staff to decongest patients on treatment days. On Blood Pressure day, all members of staff report for work at 08:00 hours. Blood Pressure check-ups are done. We have essential hypertension (the diastolic blood pressure between 90 to 99mmHg) and Crisis hypertension (the diastolic blood pressure above 100mmHg). All patients with essential hypertension are given their monthly drugs refill. Patients with crisis hypertension are admitted for observations. They can only be discharged when their blood pressure stabilizes. If it fails to stabilize, we refer to the hospital for investigations and further management.
However, hypertension has no signs and is not painful, as a result, it is very difficult to convince patients to take drugs for life. Some older people still believe in witchcraft. In 2019, we lost one Village Headman who came to clinic because of an abscess. He was also found to have
hypertension. He was given drugs for the abscess and hypertension, but when the abscess healed, he refused to take the hypertension drugs. He said he cannot continue taking drugs.After 4 months, he was brought to the clinic with a stroke. We referred him to the hospital, but the hospital could not help. After his death and burial, Mr. Kalekwa called for a meeting with the Village headmen to explain his death. Headmen who believed in witchcraft saw the need for taking hypertensive drugs. The senior headman told other headmen to stop believing in old beliefs. He said, they should always work hand in hand with health personnel to avoid disease complications. All the headmen promised to educate their citizens.
Drugs for hypertension are purchased by our Clinic Administrator – Mr. Banda through the help we get from CAMM. The clinic staff work hard to provide good quality health services to all hypertensive patients. We start every morning with devotion and a prayer, followed by health education. All hypertensive patients are happy with and appreciate the services we provide.
May the Almighty God bless you all in helping the poor in Zambia.
In Jesus Christ,
Jackson Kalekwa.
Clinical Officer in Charge
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