Serge, an international Christian missions organization, confirmed today that American medical missionary, 46-year-old Dr. Patrick LaRochelle, continues to remain asymptomatic in a Prague hospital. Over the last 72 hours, Dr. LaRochelle has isolated in a BioBox chamber after high-risk exposure to Ebola. He is an Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician who teaches and mentors medical students, provides specialty consultations, and facilitates quality medical care at Centre Medical Evangelique (CME) Bunia Hospital in Bunia, DRC.
Today, Dr. LaRochelle shared a written update with Serge leadership:
"It is hard to be separated from my family, friends, and colleagues in Congo. I’m thankful to the Czech people for allowing me to come and be monitored here, and to the many people who worked night and day to get me and the Staffords to care. I want to thank God that my teammate Peter Stafford is recovering from Ebola—and that his wife Rebekah, his children, and I have remained free of the infection thus far.
Standing helpless as Peter worsened prior to his medical evacuation, I had a glimpse of the reality that my Congolese friends and colleagues are living constantly, and for which a medical evacuation is not an option.
I can say that I have seen the commitment of the Congolese doctors leading the response. And I’ve seen the context in which they are working: an outbreak already out of control by the time it was recognized, a region in a constant state of conflict between multiple rebel groups since 2017, a province 1000 miles away from the capital, and a health system under-resourced both in diagnostic and treatment capacity. The challenges are overwhelming, and it’s easy for me to lose hope. But what gives me hope is my colleagues who are fighting for the lives of every patient, risking so much to follow their call to heal the sick, and then many hundreds and thousands—both Congolese and expatriate—who are mobilizing to come fight Ebola with them. We are encouraged by their lives and are honored to know them and serve alongside them. We are amazed to see them not flinch or draw back in the face of so much danger and chaos.”
Patrick remains in contact with Congolese colleagues who have sent updates from the regions most affected by the outbreak.
Dr. D, a medical director, shared that he’s going to the camp more often than normal to model to his staff that continuing to care well for this community and maintaining their trust is the most important way to love them and mitigate the spread of this disease. Nurse T had no masks, gloves, or gowns. The LaRochelles were able to supply those with the help of their network, and Nurse T is continuing to care for this community of 8,000 displaced people at one of the epicenters of the epidemic. He is courageously leading people toward safe practices.
Dr. LaRochelle requests prayer on behalf of courageous Congolese medical workers and for the arrival of more protective equipment and treatments. He also asks for prayer that the transmission of this virus stops, and that a vaccine designed to treat this strain of the virus would be developed quickly. Serge requests prayer for Dr. LaRochelle and the Stafford family to remain healthy and for Dr. Peter Stafford’s condition to improve daily.
Out of respect for the family’s privacy, Serge requests that media outlets refrain from contacting family members directly or publishing images of the Stafford and LaRochelle children.
Additional updates will be provided as verified information becomes available.
About Serge
Serge is an international mission organization that sends workers to serve globally in healthcare, education, church planting, business, and community development, partnering with local communities to bring hope and restoration to some of the world’s most vulnerable regions. Serge sends and cares for more than 325 missionaries in 29 countries.