Key points:
- A partnership between the North Katanga United Methodist Church, Harper Hill Global and others is providing information on how risky high blood pressure can be for pregnant women.
- United Methodist Shungu Clinic offers expectant mothers education about hypertension, along with regular checkups and low-dose aspirin.
- The hypertension initiative is being spread through the use of WhatsApp and media grants for radio and television buys, as well as travel to rural villages.
Connections from as far away as Tennessee helped Mwange Assy, a young woman living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, deliver a healthy baby.
Assy knew she was suffering from high blood pressure because of the education she received at United Methodist Shungu Clinic in Kamina. During her pregnancy, she came to the clinic for regular checkups and low-dose aspirin.
“Thank you to the nurses, medical doctors and those who support our Shungu Clinic,” Assy said in a video message.
In early 2021, Harper Hill Global, a Nashville, Tennessee, faith-based organization, joined with the World Hypertension Action Group, Colleagues in Care and the North Katanga United Methodist Church to provide lifesaving information on how risky high blood pressure can be for pregnant women.
The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau, health board chair and director of communications for the church’s North Katanga Episcopal Area, is the hands and feet of the campaign.
“The Bible says people perish because they lack knowledge. Education on hypertension is fighting myths by unveiling ignorance,” said Musau, an occasional contributor to UM News.
How you can help
Donations can be made to United Methodist Shungu Clinic through Global Ministries Advance #3020662 or through the West Ohio Conference, which has a partnership with United Methodists in North Katanga.
To learn more or make a donation to Harper Hill Global, visit www.harperhill.global.
Many living in rural Africa believe that if a woman dies during childbirth, it is due to witchcraft, Musau added.
United Methodist Rev. Neelley Hicks, founder of Harper Hill Global, said the organization’s work is not about converting people to religion.
“It is about being the hands and feet of Christ in the world,” Hicks said. “We serve as a bridge.”
A speech Hicks made at the United Nations five years ago made an impression on Robert St. Thomas. He supports the World Hypertension Action Group and Colleagues in Care.
Hicks developed a partnership between these groups to share with Dr. Patrick Kilunji, director of Shungu Clinic, and Musau.
Hicks also connected Crosslink of Memphis, founded by retired United Methodist Rev. David C. Lewis, to Shungu Clinic. Crosslink supplied the clinic with manual and battery-run blood pressure monitors, low-dose aspirin and urine sticks.
Harper Hill Global has supplied Musau with virtual classroom technologies to help her educate people in rural villages about hypertension.
Firdaus Kharas of Chocolate Moose Media has created an animated video, “A Better Life: Safe Pregnancy.” The short film showcases the dangers of high blood pressure for pregnant women and how it can be prevented. It is available in French, Swahili, Hausa, Portuguese and English.
Harper Hill Global has spread the hypertension initiative through use of WhatsApp and media grants for radio and television buys. A coloring book was developed by World Hypertension Action Group, and a song was written by the North Katanga Conference that warns women about alcohol and salt use during pregnancy.
Musau said the song is on local radio three times a day, and the animation is on local television twice a day.
“The hypertension awareness program is saving a lot of lives in the community around the North Katanga Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, especially pregnant women,” said Bishop Mande Muyombo, who leads the area.
Muyombo said Musau’s commitment to the initiative is “a true witness of her commitment to advancing God’s Kingdom.”
“May God bless all partners who have coalesced around this critical initiative aiming at saving the lives of pregnant women, lay and clergy members,” he said.
Musau said her passion and calling is working with women and children. Hicks echoes that same passion.
“We are all the body of Christ,” she said. “I am a joint.”
Kathy L. Gilbert is a freelance writer in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Friday Digests.
