Dear Friends,
In these unprecedented times when most of us are self-isolating and social distancing, Edna’s
Maternity Hospital carries on its work with both exemplary dedication and extra vigilance.
Edna reports that while the Coronavirus was late to reach Somaliland, cases have appeared and
the Hospital has moved to prepare for the worst. The shops on the main road at the edge of the
hospital compound had to be shuttered and converted for outpatient use so that the old
Outpatient building could be freed up as an isolation area for infectious patients. The shops had
been paying rent to the Hospital to help subsidize the treatment of poor patients, so this source
of local revenue had to be sacrificed to meet the emergency needs.
Converting the former shops to clinical quarters was not easy and required the demolition of
walls to open up spaces for outpatient testing and treatment. The supervision of the
construction was undertaken by the Dean of the Laboratory Department and one of the
teachers from the English department, both of whom elected to stay and help rather than take
leave when the University had to shut down for the pandemic. The Dean of the School of
Medicine volunteered to supervise the disinfecting of the compound’s grounds and septic
systems, while other staff members formed teams to sew masks and face shields, even as they
continued to deliver babies and look after patients in the hospital.
Edna wrote in late April that she offered her staff the option to take their paid annual leave at
this high-risk moment, but ALL chose to stay and work. She was clearly moved by their
commitment and courage—‘this is what keeps me going’, she said—and we let her know that
the Friends of Edna are right behind her and her team.
While mothers and fathers, living or deceased, are always on our minds, the special
circumstances of this May 2020 remind us of how vulnerable we all are, here in the U.S. and
around the world. We hope you will consider a gift in the name of a mother or father to assist
the Edna Hospital in its heroic efforts to limit the vulnerability of Somaliland’s parents and
children.
May is also the month when the U.S. observes National Nurses Week, National Hospital
Week, and Women’s Health Week. Edna has been at the forefront of all three causes, in her
home country and around the globe, for more than sixty years. In these challenging times,
your donations—through one-time gifts or regular monthly or quarterly donations via
PayPal—will enable Friends to help meet the Hospital’s critical need for additional ventilators,
personal protective equipment (PPE), and test kits for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
All remaining funds will be directed to the Edna Hospital Endowment Fund.
On behalf of Edna, her staff, and the countless families they serve, I thank you warmly for
your continuing support.
Dr. Lee Cassanelli, President of the Board, Friends of Edna’s Maternity Hospital
Friends of Edna’s Maternity Hospital
95 Montgomery Street,
Black Rock, CT 06605-3305
Please Donate
Checks should be made payable to:
Friends of Edna’s Maternity Hospital
95 Montgomery Street, Black Rock, CT 06605-3305
Donations may also be made through PayPal via the following link: [email protected]
All donations are tax deductible.
For additional information, contact Patricia Eggert: [email protected]