Compassionate care for the sick and malnourished
In a remote part of Liberia, several hours from paved roads, is the village of Garplay. Recently a CAM staff member visited the clinic in Garplay, noting the nearly empty medicine shelves. The clinic staff explained that their supply of medicines has been extremely limited in recent months. They related the discouragement of lacking medicines to help their patients, many of whom can hardly afford to buy medicines. “Medicines in the bush are scarce and expensive,” our staff member explained. “People walk for a few hours to this clinic.”
Empty clinic shelves and walking hours or even days to the nearest healthcare facility are realities around the world. Without proper treatment, basic sicknesses can develop into life-threatening conditions. By providing high-quality medicines, nutritional supplements, and other medical supplies, CAM endeavors to follow the example of Jesus who “was moved with compassion . . . and healed their sick.”
In the mountains of Haiti
In isolated communities of mountainous Haiti, healthcare options are severely limited. A CAM-supported medical team traveled into several of these communities to hold mobile clinics. “We quickly realized we were sorely lacking children’s medicine….” shared a team member. She continued, “Malnutrition is the biggest enemy the children . . . face. It seemed almost all of them had skinny arms and legs and reddish hair that is indicative of malnutrition.”
Ten-month-old Fednoëlle visited the clinic with signs of malnutrition. “Little Fednoëlle was a pitiful little bundle, covered in sores and scabies,” a team member observed. “The skin on her tiny feet had split from the swelling that comes with [malnutrition]. Sadly, this is all too common . . . .” A strict feeding schedule with proper nutrients greatly boosted Fednoëlle’s frail health.
The medical team also noticed infections, boils, scabies, and other untreated skin conditions. Without access to salves and creams, these conditions can develop into serious problems.
Infant formula, nutritional supplements, creams, vitamins, and other items that are often unavailable or unaffordable in these remote communities, were distributed at the mobile clinics. “It is difficult to imagine the misery and hopelessness some of these people have endured,” related a team member. “Especially when something can be so easily treated, but is left untreated and . . . their life is one of constant pain and discomfort.”
Along with items for physical health, these clinics also provided the opportunity to share spiritual medicine. Those who visited the clinics eagerly accepted Bibles, Bible story books, and other Christian literature.
Compassion for Romania’s elderly
For Romania’s elderly, some of the most vulnerable people in the country, nutritional supplements, cream for burns and bedsores, and other medicines are answers to prayer. Many of them are no longer able to work the land to provide for themselves. Some live alone in remote villages, abandoned by family members. Age and disease have left others bedfast and completely dependent on others. For many of the elderly, their income does not cover their housing and medical needs. “They have to cut medication in order to keep a roof over their heads,” shared a Romanian pharmacist.
Each year, generous companies donate truckloads of medicines, medical supplies, and nutritional supplements to CAM. Although these products are donated, funds are needed to ship and distribute them responsibly. Funds are also needed to purchase medicines we aren’t able to acquire through donations. If you wish to help provide life-saving supplies for the sick, your contribution will be a blessing. Please pray that these items will point to Christ, the true Physician.
Christian Aid Ministries | March 2021
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