CURE Intenrational Hospital in Kabul
While this anti-western sentiment is growing in Afghanistan, CURE International's Gerry Luongo says it's not affecting their work in Kabul, but they are concerned. "There's always a presence of a threat of riots and all sorts of things. Our team there does have a constant pressure of security issues. Yet, they stay and continue to serve the people of Afghanistan."
However, CURE International continues working in Kabul, says Gerry Luongo. "We have an acute care surgical hospital that is 120 beds and we also have a family health center, which is a primary and secondary health clinic for mostly women and children."
Medical care is an incredible need. Luongo says, "Afghanistan has really one of the world's worst maternal mortality rates as well as infant mortality rates. Only 11 percent or so births are attended by anybody. So, they're giving birth without any help and frequently dying."
While the protests aren't directly affecting their work, it does affect them indirectly. "It increases the stress of our teams in their homes, when they're outside the hospital. The security isn't as great as it is in the hospital."
Evangelism is illegal in Afghanistan. Even though it's predominately Muslim, CURE hasn't forgotten about the spiritual side of their work. "It really is about building relationships and saying, 'we care about you. We're Christians and we here because we're serving God by serving you."
CURE International was asked by the Afghan government to help rebuild their healthcare system after the war. It's currently the only obstetrics teaching and surgical training hospital in Kabul.
Luongo is asking Christians to pray that the staff will continue to be strong in the face of challenging circumstances. Pray also they their example of Christ would cause many to ask questions about their faith and that seeds of the Gospel would be planted.
