Working through the COVID-19 pandemic during a global travel ban can be a challenge for international organizations. Thanks to modern technology, our Kybele team members are still able to connect! Our Kybele Balkans team leaders
Ivan Velickovic
(New York, NY) and
Curtis Baysinger
(Nashville, TN) have been using Zoom to connect with colleagues in Serbia and Macedonia.
Hospitals in Novi Sad and Belgrade have had several COVID-19-positive patients who have successfully finished their pregnancies. The southern part of Serbia however has been more on par with New York City, where Dr. Velickovic resides. The main hospital in Niš was forced to recruit anesthesiologists from surrounding parts of the country to assist in providing intensive care during this time of crisis. These communities have had high numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients requiring intubation. In neighboring Macedonia, several COVID-19-positive patients have presented for labor and delivery.
Dr. Curtis Baysinger, the team leader from Vanderbilt University, is working with Dr.
Atanas Sivevski
, an obstetric anesthesiologist from Skopje, Macedonia in writing a case report on the care of one of these patients. Fortunately, the anesthesiologists on the front line in Serbia and Macedonia have adequate protective equipment and testing. We will continue to be supportive and remain connected, while apart, anticipating the day this is all behind us.
We are grateful for the technologies that allow for face-to-face interactions as we continue to work toward improving birth outcomes around the world.
