International (MNN) — Massive migration in Africa by those
with education and money has resulted in a lack of needed resources. Without them, illiteracy and poverty reign in
many places.
CURE International's Lisa Wolf says they're fighting that
with the concept of "teaching hospitals." "So many of the countries suffer
from 'brain drain,' particularly with their medical professionals. They don't
have the equipment that they need, and they don't have the resources. We're
providing those resources and providing the training. And because they have a
terrific hospital to work at–one that is taking care of both physical and
spiritual needs–they want to stay."
Teaching hospitals are providers of primary care and routine
patient services, as well as centers for experimental, innovative and technically
sophisticated services. According to the definition of a teaching
hospital, medical students typically spend two to three years in a teaching
hospital doing clinical training, after completing their pre-clinical training
in the medical school of a university.
It's one way a ministry like CURE International can help
make a difference in a remote community. Every doctor that trains in a CURE facility
takes with him that training and philosophy of medicine to a home facility.
For example, the CURE Children's
Hospital of Uganda in Mbale has established a Fellowship Program for pediatric
neurosurgeons. It is the only such program on the continent. Two neurosurgeons per year will study and work
at CCHU, to focus their skills on children and to concentrate on a range of
afflictions of the brain and central nervous system.
Another way this works is through their Program for Advanced
Training in Hydrocephalus or PATH. The team has already established such a
program in western Tanzania. CCHU has PATH applicants from Ghana, Zambia,
Afghanistan, Rwanda, Nepal, Senegal, Honduras and Madagascar.
Wolf says their staff are also conscious of the evangelistic
side of this work. "We place an
equal emphasis on the physical healing of the child as well as the spiritual
healing. We have been told by patients, their families, and other people
who have gone to visit the hospital that there is a real sense of compassion
and a real demonstration of God's love." If you want details on how you can help, click here.
