COVID-19 Response

Background

Yonkofa has relied on the generous support and partnership of a network of hospitals and physicians for medical supplies and equipment in Ghana. With COVID-19 sweeping our country, these donors are now turning to us for medical supplies, particularly N95 masks. Due to the shortage, medical providers are having to provide their own masks to wear at the hospital. Hospitals are running out of supplies for our doctors, nurses, healthcare staff and admin who are treating the wave of COVID-19 patients. Medical staff are reusing masks for up to a week, either putting them in bags at the end of their shift or sanitizing them in-between. There are medical staff who are already caring for patients without any masks. 

As we’ve seen in Italy, up to 10% of infected patients are medical professionals on the front-line. 

Donate to the cause!

Our top priority is sourcing and distributing N95 masks. In response to this need, Dr. Nanci connected with a friend of Yonkofa, who is scientist currently working on diagnostics in China. He offered to assist with shipping masks to the states with a lead time of 1 week. These N95 masks are more expensive than surgical masks at $2.50 per mask. The minimum order quantity is 1,000.

Our fundraising target is $12,500 to purchase and deliver 5,000 masks to hospitals in NYC and Atlanta. When the shortage is resolved in the U.S., all remaining stock will be sent to Ghana, Africa, as they are just starting to see COVID-19 cases in their biggest cities.

Interested in helping with your time?

There are other ways to help. Share this page with your network. If you have the time and sewing skills to assist, you can support hospitals by making reusable masks. These reusable masks may help front-line medical staff by providing an additional protective layer between the patient and the N95 mask. 

1. Sewing tutorial:

   • Mask with pocket for gauze insert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9RWII2-5_4&feature=youtu.be

   • Mask without pocket: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcMhjFNEqCo

2. Materials to use: 

   • Quilter’s showcase 100% cotton with new fabric only

   • Option: If braided elastic is not available, you can use fabric ties too

     • Braided elastic - 1/4” or 1/8”. You can purchase this on eBay however pay careful attention to the delivery date as many elastics won’t deliver until May or later.

     • 100% cotton fabric ties

   • Gauze 4x4” as inserts in the masks

3. Create a minimum of 30 masks. Once 30 masks are created, contact gnnanci@yonkofa.org for shipping instructions. We will create a pre-paid shipping label for you.