Bethlehem (MNN) — As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of
Christ, CURE International continues work on a $4.25 million specialty
surgical and training center in the town of His birth.
"Over 2000 years ago, a baby born in Bethlehem brought hope to the world," said
Dr. Scott Harrison, CURE's founder, president, and chief executive officer. "As we look again toward Bethlehem
this Christmas season, the city of Jesus'
birth will soon be a place of hope for disabled children. They will have the
hope of healing."
CURE hopes to begin performing surgeries at the 65-bed
hospital in Bethlehem
by Christmas of 2009. The hospital is expected to perform about 2,000 surgeries and see 10,000 patients in its
first year of operation.
"This cardiac and orthopaedic hospital fills a major
need in the West Bank where medical care is severely limited," Harrison said. "We are encouraged by the great support we've already received from
both the Israeli and Palestinian governments who understand and appreciate our
mission to bring healing to the suffering children in the region."
The state-of-the-art hospital represents the first private U.S. investment in the health care system of the
West Bank. It will focus on providing neurosurgery, plastic reconstructive surgery,
and pediatric orthopaedics for children with physical disabilities.
Since opening hospitals in Afghanistan
and the United Arab Emirates
over the last two years, CURE has embraced a vision of building bridges of
understanding in the Muslim world. To
that end, it is cooperating with Muslims and Jews to operate the hospital and
partner with Lifegate, which provides rehabilitation services for disabled
children and adults.
"The Bethlehem
hospital is unique in that it is bringing together three faith groups to build
a facility of healing in a very volatile region," said Harrison. "Christians and Muslims will serve together
at the hospital and will receive additional training at some of the leading hospitals
in Jerusalem,
including Hadassah and Schneider."
"The CURE hospital will be well-received by all people," said
Salah Al Tamari, governor of Bethlehem.
"In Bethlehem,
we set the example for co-existence. Bethlehem
is not just a holy place. It is a message — a message of peace, tolerance,
freedom, and acceptance of all people."
CURE International is committed to sharing the Gospel with
hospital patients. Since 1996, it has
seen 700,000 patients and performed 48,000 life-changing surgeries. It has an established presence in eleven
developing countries and is currently planning to build hospitals in four more
countries, including Palestine. If you would like to support the new hospital
in Bethlehem, click here.
