Medical Mission 

Since the early days of Mission, medical care has often accompanied the sharing of the gospel.  In many cases practical medical help was the starting point of contact between missionaries and local people.

Today, the need for this direct missionary involvement has been somewhat reduced as nationals are now trained in the medical professions and capably provide care.  The supportive role of mission agencies still continues; bringing extra and specialised personnel onto the field is always a significant help to relatively poorly resourced hospitals.

Missionary medical personnel are able to bring up to date training to the field.  This in turn helps keep African staff current with the latest medical techniques and research. 

In Africa, many old diseases still remain to be controlled - leprosy lingers and tuberculosis has returned with a vengeance.  There are also some more recent needs - HIV/AIDS, civil war, genocide, terrorism, floods, drought and natural disasters all create new medical challenges that the African to which the medical world must respond.

The opportunity exists for medical missionaries to help Africa with these problems, by bringing their expertise and enthusiasm to difficult situations.  This provides an opportunity for medical missionaries to effectively share the love of Jesus in those most practical of ways.

Christians who minister among the poor realise that when we care for people in Jesus' name, our acts of mercy open up hearts towards the gospel.  When we stand with the poor to tackle the medical problems they face, they are more likely to respond to Christ.  This does not mean that medical mission is a gimmick - it is valid in its own right, as it shows God's heartfelt compassion for the suffering.

Holley Memorial Hospital
Holley Memorial Hospital (H.M.H.) at Ochadamu is in Kogi State in the central belt of Nigeria. 

Founded in 1950 in response to the needs of those suffering from leprosy H.M.H. is recognised by the Nigerian Government as a place of excellence in the treatment of leprosy.  This department is run in partnership with the Leprosy Mission International.

Today, however, the hospital has grown to be a large general hospital providing specialist services in surgery, maternity and obstetrics, orthopaedics, ophthalmics and caring for an increasing number suffering from TB and HIV/AIDS.  A large outpatients department cares for the growing local population.  Alongside this, faithful witness is given to Jesus Christ through word and action.  

 

A School of Nursing is in development at the hospital and should be functioning within the near future.  In partnership with Mission Africa,  H.M.H. has recently updated the facilities of the pharmacy and operating theatre.

 

As a Christian hospital, H.M.H. has a church on the compound.  This provides pastoral care to meet the spiritual needs of patients and staff.  Many who have come to H.M.H. for medical care have come to faith in Jesus during their stay.

Ekpene Obom Hospital

Ekpene Obom Hospital is in the south-east of Nigeria, in Akwa Ibom State.  Like H.M.H. it also began as a specialist leprosy hospital but now also provides for more general medical needs.

The good news is that leprosy can now be cured.  However, early diagnosis is key, as any delay in treatment can result in permanent disablement.

As a specialist hospital, medical students come here for workshops and to gain first hand experience of leprosy.  This, alongside the experience gained in the general hospital, gives them a excellent experience for their future medical career.

Mission Africa's Role

Today, Mission Africa provide medical staff and finance to these hospitals as well as helping with a variety of practical needs.  Recent projects have included providing a clean drinking water supply as well as maintaining and upgrading the hospital equipment and services.  We also sponsor staff for further training in specialist areas.

The need for further investment is acute as medical equipment and hospital infrastructure needs maintenance or repair.  While staff also need to keep up-to-date with their training and many have come to the UK for that purpose.

Community and Church based HIV/AIDS Awareness programmes are being developed to address the growing need for education counselling and care for those infected with HIV/AIDS.

Visiting to the local communities also gives access to AIDS orphans being cared for by grandparents who lack resources to give these children a start in life.  Mission Africa, through its AIDS Orphans Fund, helps to feed, clothe and educate these orphans and to teach them of God’s love in Christ.

Prayer

Pray for the patients that God will bless them, heal their bodies and meet their needs.  Pray also that God will bless the staff in their work.

Pray that the witness of the medical staff will bring God’s love to people whose only contact with Christians is in these hospitals.

Opportunities

There are long and short-term opportunities at these hospitals.  Mission Africa can organize medical electives or summer placements under proper supervision. 

We have many long term opportunities for those already qualified and seeking to serve God in Africa.  For example Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists are in demand. 

 

Both of the hospitals has a volunteer support group based in Northern Ireland who are committed to prayer and financial support so that the work and witness of these hospitals can continue. Please contact the office for further details of Friends of Ekpene Obom and Friends of Ochadamu.