Help Us Renovate and Equip Ignace Deen Hospital
Donation protected
Guinean Medical Society & Unity Heals invites you to support our campaign to:
Renovate and Equip Ignace Deen Hospital’s Emergency Department
Described as decaying infrastructure, poor sanitation, stifling heat, stench, lack of electricity, and lack of drugs and maintenance, Ignace Deen Hospital is one of only three major hospitals in Guinea. There are few doctors and resources; wards are crowded, infested by bed bugs and mosquitoes, toilets are clogged, and there is a continuous shortage of drinking water, which relatives of patients are expected to supply, among others. A clean and sanitary working environment is crucial to patients’ health and medical professionals' ability to deliver efficient care.
Ignace Deen Hospital is located in Conakry, the Capital of Guinea, and receives tens of thousands of monthly patients in significantly degrading conditions. Families turn to Ignace Deen for hope and treatment during the most vulnerable times of their lives. The team on site comprises heroes who, without financial means and adequate infrastructure, go to work every day and take care of their patients. Currently, the facility lacks tables, hospital beds and many other essential medical supplies crucial to patient care. Patients are forced to bring bed covers and pillows and lay on the floor on top of purchasing every medical equipment and medication before receiving care.
Anyone who has visited Ignace Deen Hospital as a patient or a visitor understands the dire reality all too well.
In a quest to give back to our country, the Guinean Medical Society (GMS) and Unity Heals seek to renovate and equip the Emergency Department of Ignace Deen Hospital.
As the first place where many patients end up during their worst healthcare moments, we must renovate and equip this place as a standard of excellent care for the Guinean community. We aim to raise $20,000 so patients can be seen in a safe and clean environment.
Fundraiser Goal: We are hoping to raise $20,000 to be used to renovate the department’s aging infrastructure, provide new critical equipment and supplies, improve the functionality of staff, and sustain the healthcare provided to patients. We thank you for your donations and for partnering with us to care for the people of Guinea through healthcare.
Before building new health centers, let us take care of the existing ones first! No contribution is small; anything can help renovate and equip the emergency department.
Please visit our itemized list HERE to see the breakdown of the items.
Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J2btln-LrLaU3ZR9nQR4IO49oqspTYmjr2HMNLMqKLI/edit#gid=0
Besides working in Ignace Deen Hospital this summer, we will purchase all the medical supplies and equipment and complete the renovations with the Director of the Hospital and Director of Emergency Services to ensure every dollar is well spent. We will update all people who donate to all the activities we will undertake.
About the fundraiser: We need you! Together, we can raise money to redefine the health of our people.
Our fundraiser seeks to equip Ignace Deen Hospital’s Emergency Department to provide and expand access to:
Renovations: Our goal is to transform the department to project a clean, welcoming, and safe atmosphere. Various studies give insight into the direct impact of hospital environments on patient health and recovery, especially among children. Funds will be used to paint the walls and improve the décor. A department with new walls, clean floor and roof, decorations, privacy screens, etc., will allow for a comfortable stay.
Beds: Right now, many patients are forced to lay on bare bed frames or on the floor. Mattresses, if any, are often uncovered and made of foam--a disaster for sanitation and comfort. Patients often need to bring their own sheets. We will partner with a local manufacturer to provide new mattresses and bedding and also support a local small business at the same time.
Emergency Department Equipment, Medications and Supplies: The more equipment, medicine, and supplies we can get hands-on, the better for the care of our people. We would love to be able to update the surgical theater and replenish essential medicine and supplies. Providing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for the hospital staff will help create a safe environment for staff and patients.
Waiting Room: Being forced to wait outside in hot temperatures or the rain during the rainy seasons is not ideal for anyone, incredibly sick and injured patients. Our volunteers will build a waiting area with local materials and their skills.
Patient Transport: Helping patients get around and ambulate early is key to improvements in health. Through our fundraiser, we will look into buying wheelchairs, walkers and stretchers for our patients.
Ambulance: Right now, the hospital has no ambulance. We are looking into the best options available locally and will provide more information in updates.
Water: Since the water was cut off, the pipes have become unusable. We will be working with local tradesmen to re-pipe the hospital. We will also work with the hospital administration to investigate options for rainwater collection and storage, which could be filtered with Sawyer filters.
Electricity: Having reliable electricity is vital for optimal hospital operation, patient care, and safety. Because of the unreliable nature of electricity from the city, the hospital would benefit from a backup diesel generator. We also hope to install solar panels and energy-efficient LED lights to help the facilities operate as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
Patient and Staff Support Services: A more accessible health center emphasizing prevention by educating the local population will significantly improve health conditions in the district and the surrounding villages. Most importantly, it will substantially decrease deaths from treatable diseases and complications. Through the fund, we will work to provide limited financial assistance to both patients and staff.
About the fundraiser:
Dates: Our fundraiser started Friday, July 2022 and will continue until we meet our goal.
Welcome to Ignace Deen Hospital
Paint: Several areas of the hospital are a drab gray color, and we would like to lighten up the place. We will also help clean the hospital and remove the mold in the walls.
Bathrooms: Unkempt bathrooms contribute to spreading infectious diseases and unsanitary conditions. We want to renovate the bathrooms and provide clean environments for the patients and staff at Ignace Deen.
Hospital beds: This is the #1 item that the hospital said it needs. Some mattresses are still decades old and deteriorating and need to be replaced.
Furnishing the emergency ward: Many young women, including pregnant women, had to sleep on the floor as there weren’t enough beds.
Medical Supplies: The hospital runs low on or doesn’t have some basic medical supplies like sutures, gloves, autoclaves, patient monitors, thermometers, wheelchairs, desks, and beds.
Windows: There are dozens of broken windows in the three wards. This will help keep the rain and wind out.
Washing machine and dryer: Currently, the surgical scrubs are hand washed in bathtubs, wrung out by hand, and then hung up in trees or laid in the grass to dry -obviously, not very sterile.
The people of Guinea sincerely appreciate your help!
About the hospital: Built during the colonial era, very little had been done to Ignace Deen Hospital since the late 1980s; thus, the entire hospital had fallen into disrepair. Mercy Ships is also providing medical training for local hospital staff, strengthening the ability of Ignace Deen to provide medical services to its population.
This fundraiser aims to raise money to provide the hospital with the required medical supplies and equipment.
We asked the staff of the hospital to organize a list of resources that are currently lacking. Besides giving the medical equipment and supplies, we would like to sand and paint the outside of the hospital because this is sorely needed. We hope to raise enough funds to purchase a majority of the list below:
Our contacts at Ignace Deen Hospital are:
Dr. Ousmane Camara: Chef de Service
Dr. Laye Camara: Chef D’ Unite
Madame Mariame Fofana: Surveillante D’ Unite
Madame Hawa Doumo: Surveillante General
Fatoumata Barry: Infirmière
Sponsorship: You, your company/business, or organization can financially sponsor, adopt, or donate any of the item (s) listed HERE . As a sponsor/donor of large items, you will be recognized for this fundraiser.
How can you help?
You can donate through:
GoFundMe : ( )
Paypal : ( or )
For more information about the fundraiser, please visit @Guineanmedicalsociety or @Unityheals on social media or email us at our gmails provided on the flyers.
Thank you so much for your support, donations, and sharing of our fundraiser. We are appreciative of your time.
About Guinean Medical Society
Guinean Medical Society (GMS) is a student-led organization that believes in the phrase “Health for All.” We recognize the need to improve access and affordability to healthcare in Guinea and tackle social issues impacting health and well-being. In response to this call to provide quality, appropriate, evidence-based health care, we established the Guinean Medical Society.
About Unity Heals
Unity Heals (UHeals) is a Nonprofit Corporation with the mission to improve healthcare in underserved communities by building reliable care facilities and integrating efficient systems. Many corners of the world are engulfed with extreme poverty that causes major suffering to its people. In these communities, good health is considered a luxury because most of the population is concerned with acquiring the necessities of life. Poverty in these corners often leads to social inequality and many harmful health consequences.
Guinean Medical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with Tax ID 20-1102853 and Unity Heals is undergoing the 501(c)(3) process with Federal EIN # 87-1974908. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Fundraising team (2)
Guinean Medical Society
Organizer
Dallas, TX
Mamadou Balde
Team member