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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
March 2006 |
Hoosiers join in dedication of surgical suite in Sierra Leone
By Daniel R. Gangler
Six volunteer Hoosiers with a passion for missions joined the staff of United Methodist-related Health and Maternity Center in Kissy, Sierra Leone, to dedicate the Wagner Surgical Theater and 30-bed post-op ward. The theater was named in honor of the Rev. Joe and Carolyn Wagner, coordinators of Operation Classroom.
The project was sponsored by Operation Classroom/Operation Doctor, a mission outreach of the Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church. Traveling to Africa Jan. 22-31, were the Wagners, the Rev. Dr. Donald Griffith, executive assistant to the bishop, and his wife Marilyn; and the Rev. Bud Probasco, pastor of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Kokomo, and his wife Diana.
During an OC/OD board meeting in Indianapolis on Feb. 22, Wagner told board members, "We (United Methodists) have one of the nicest hospitals in Sierra Leone. Without Operation Doctor, the clinic would still be in shambles (following that country's civil unrest)."
Operation Doctor is a major force for the support of Kissy.
Probasco told the other board members, "even the government employees are now coming to Kissy Hospital."
Kissy is located in the most densely populated area in Sierra Leone, serving a community of 450,000 residents. The 90-bed hospital has a staff of 130 employees headed by Dr. Dennis Marke, whose salary is paid by Indiana Area United Methodists.
Wagner told board members that 2005 was a good year for Kissy. The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries granted the hospital $25,000 for the hospital's building project. Kissy also provides AID education to eight schools and has tested more than 3,000 students for AIDS.
Tele-med
In addition to the dedication, the six-person team also continued Operation Doctor's work on the Tele-medicine project. "Tele-medicine" is defined as the use of telecommunications to provide medical information and services. It can provide access to specialty care in remote locations or in emergency situations and reduces the isolation of rural practitioners in developing countries like Sierra Leone and Liberia.
"I have never seen United Methodism any finer than what we are doing in Liberia and Sierra Leone." - Marilyn Griffith |
Clinical applications will include diagnostic examination interpretation, medical/surgical management and follow-up, patient case reviews and specialist referrals. Other applications include continuing medical and nursing education, data collection and evaluation of research and protocol development.
While they were in Sierra Leone, talks by the six-volunteers continued with the World Bank to fund the Tele-med project. The United Methodist-related Ganta Hospital in Ganta, Liberia has a similar program.
Life changing
Marilyn Griffith said the trip to Africa was a life-changing experience. "I have never seen United Methodism any finer than what we are doing in Liberia and Sierra Leone."
Probasco commented that everywhere the group went in Kissy's bus, people waved and shouted "U-M-C, U-M-C" in appreciation for the church's work. In addition to maternity care, surgery and AIDS testing and education, Kissy is also involved with nutrition, nutrition education and the treatment and prevention of malaria. Wagner said one out of four deaths in Africa is attributed to malaria. Twenty-five percent of the hospital's income comes from the treatment of malaria. The average worker in Sierra Leone loses seven to 11 days of work a year due to malaria.
The UMC Health and Maternity Center in Kissy is part of the denomination's Sierra Leone Conference. It is one of only two facilities providing inpatient and laboratory services in the eastern suburbs of Freetown, the West African nation's capital. Those communities are highly overpopulated, mostly with unemployed youth, women and displaced people.
In West Africa, the six-volunteers also visited United Methodist-related Ganta Hospital in neighboring Liberia. Ganta also serves a community of 450,000 residents. The hospital is considering building a larger facility and converting the current hospital into a much-needed nursing school.
For more information about Operation Classroom/Operation Doctor, log on to www.operationclassroom.org.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008