Fwd: Liberia project

From: Mae Podesta <mpodesta@gmail.com>
Date: September 9, 2014 at 8:51:29 PM EDT
To: "john.podesta@gmail.com" <john.podesta@gmail.com>
Subject: Fwd: Liberia project

Dad - 

Here's the early proposal Denise and Jim are working on. They are still refining but I think it would make a huge difference. Last I checked they hadn't run this by Dr. G but he and Dr. Dahn loved them and would trust them on this. 

Thanks,

Mae 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Denise Walsh <walshroyal@aol.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 4, 2014 at 4:28 PM
Subject: Fwd: Liberia project
To: mpodesta@gmail.com, jtomarken@gmail.com

    Hello Mae

How are you?Jim and I have been discussing what our role could possibly be assisting the MOH and we have come up with an idea that we feel is needed and could be very successful.
Jim has been speaking with the CDC on a regular basis and I have weekly calls from everyone in Monrovia- Daniel, nurses from Redemption, Dr. Idoko, even James my driver (!) so we have a pretty good handle on what the situation is and where it appears to be going.

Jim and I both feel that our team (you, Peter, Jim and I) left a very positive "legacy" in Liberia- I think the MOH and Pres Sirleaf saw the value in our work so returning would not be perceived as a threat to their ability to rebuild the health system. Both Jim and I like to work under the radar with the kudos given to the MOH so I think our project would be welcomed.

In a nutshell-
(1) Bring in MD teams for 30 day periods- the stress and the ability to only wear haz suits for 2 hrs due to the heat wears down people very quickly and that leads to errors in judgment and clinical decision-making. We would limit each team to 30 days- fresh legs, fresh minds and limited exposure to protect the teams will produce positive outcomes. Mandatory inservice prior to coming would be required and we could have Yale or CDC develop it for the volunteers.

(2) Develop a "par level" of supplies, equip, FOOD and WATER for patients and staff, all necessary equip required to treat these patients- assure that each facility has these supplies and oversee the supply chain to maintain par levels esp food- you cannot quarantine people and not give them food and water. We would work closely with the MOH to oversee the distribution of those supplies and assure they meet the determined par levels.

(3) Although we would be working closely with the MOH and JFK we would have to have an agreement with Dr. G that we would have decision-making ability in the distribution of medical teams and supplies coming into the country. One of the problems that we are hearing is that "no one" seems to be in control of the process- that is where we would come in. If we could take on the ebola problem, they could focus on rebuilding the health system, getting staff back to work and treating the other patients in the country.

(4) We would need a sponsor- Clinton Foundation would be great as the Liberians love BC and respect him and we would have a degree of trust from the different staffs at the hospitals and MOH. Do you know anyone there that we could contact? I would contact Betsy but not sure if she would be able to move quickly on this proposal. But if you think she would be good I am happy to contact her. I need your advice on this part. I can go to the USG but Jim and I really think CF would be the perfect fit.

So that is just a brief idea of what we are thinking- we will be meeting next week to develop a proposal but I wanted to spin it by you first. You are the expert :) 
If you are in the city let me know and I can meet you any evening next week- except Thurs. Please be honest in critiquing our idea. If you see other opportunities for us to help let us know.
Denise and Jim

On second thought, based on our convo does it make sense to wait for Eric intro until you have more guidance after this meeting tomorrow? 

On Sep 9, 2014, at 20:51, Mae Podesta <mpodesta@gmail.com> wrote:

Dad - 

Here's the early proposal Denise and Jim are working on. They are still refining but I think it would make a huge difference. Last I checked they hadn't run this by Dr. G but he and Dr. Dahn loved them and would trust them on this. 

Thanks,

Mae 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Denise Walsh <walshroyal@aol.com>
Date: Thu, Sep 4, 2014 at 4:28 PM
Subject: Fwd: Liberia project
To: mpodesta@gmail.com, jtomarken@gmail.com

    Hello Mae

How are you?Jim and I have been discussing what our role could possibly be assisting the MOH and we have come up with an idea that we feel is needed and could be very successful.
Jim has been speaking with the CDC on a regular basis and I have weekly calls from everyone in Monrovia- Daniel, nurses from Redemption, Dr. Idoko, even James my driver (!) so we have a pretty good handle on what the situation is and where it appears to be going.

Jim and I both feel that our team (you, Peter, Jim and I) left a very positive "legacy" in Liberia- I think the MOH and Pres Sirleaf saw the value in our work so returning would not be perceived as a threat to their ability to rebuild the health system. Both Jim and I like to work under the radar with the kudos given to the MOH so I think our project would be welcomed.

In a nutshell-
(1) Bring in MD teams for 30 day periods- the stress and the ability to only wear haz suits for 2 hrs due to the heat wears down people very quickly and that leads to errors in judgment and clinical decision-making. We would limit each team to 30 days- fresh legs, fresh minds and limited exposure to protect the teams will produce positive outcomes. Mandatory inservice prior to coming would be required and we could have Yale or CDC develop it for the volunteers.

(2) Develop a "par level" of supplies, equip, FOOD and WATER for patients and staff, all necessary equip required to treat these patients- assure that each facility has these supplies and oversee the supply chain to maintain par levels esp food- you cannot quarantine people and not give them food and water. We would work closely with the MOH to oversee the distribution of those supplies and assure they meet the determined par levels.

(3) Although we would be working closely with the MOH and JFK we would have to have an agreement with Dr. G that we would have decision-making ability in the distribution of medical teams and supplies coming into the country. One of the problems that we are hearing is that "no one" seems to be in control of the process- that is where we would come in. If we could take on the ebola problem, they could focus on rebuilding the health system, getting staff back to work and treating the other patients in the country.

(4) We would need a sponsor- Clinton Foundation would be great as the Liberians love BC and respect him and we would have a degree of trust from the different staffs at the hospitals and MOH. Do you know anyone there that we could contact? I would contact Betsy but not sure if she would be able to move quickly on this proposal. But if you think she would be good I am happy to contact her. I need your advice on this part. I can go to the USG but Jim and I really think CF would be the perfect fit.

So that is just a brief idea of what we are thinking- we will be meeting next week to develop a proposal but I wanted to spin it by you first. You are the expert :) 
If you are in the city let me know and I can meet you any evening next week- except Thurs. Please be honest in critiquing our idea. If you see other opportunities for us to help let us know.
Denise and Jim