Ellel Medical Center Update - January 2010
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| In 2009, Ellel Medical Center treated 1,372 cases of malaria among villagers |
After learning about the success of the Ellel Medical Center, government officials came to see the medical facility at work. They talked with patients and staff after their tour of the facility on January 21, 2010.
In the fall of 2009, a regional representative from the Minister of Health visited the Ellel Medical Center to evaluate the consistency and quality of care. The representative was impressed by the quality of care and encouraged the medical staff to continue the work that helps many people in the community. In his official report he recommended that ACTS proceed with expansion of services provided at Ellel.
In the nine months of operation after its opening in May of 2009, the Ellel Medical Center provided medical consultations for 2,732 individuals. The maternity center assisted in the birth of 48 new babies. And advised 52 families about family planning.
In the two month period after the September flooding disaster, the Center reached out to more than 1,000 other villagers who were under stress from the destruction of their homes and loss of goods.
More than 400 vaccinations were given to children and adults during 2009.
Classes on hygiene, HIV/AIDS and prevention of malaria were given to women and students during 2009. Booklets and posters produced by ACTS help the instructors in their lectures. The booklets are used in the women's literacy classes as part of their curriculum.
Perscription medicine and medical supplies donationed by MAP International in the US have been a real blessing for Ellel. We have received four separate packs since May. MAP estimates that the estimated value of each pack is $34,000.
A donation of hospital furniture and a few items of medical equipment came from the Ministry of Health. The Center is in great need of more medical equipment.
Dedication of the Ellel Medical Center took place on May 8, 2009. Priscilla Zongo, wife of the Prime Minister, was the honored official for the event. Click here to view a video taken on the dedication day.
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| Secondary student receives prescription at the Ellel Dispensary |
Construction of phase two of the Ellel Medical and Dental Center is finished. The maternity wing, exam rooms, dispensary for prescriptions, laboratory and patient rooms for serious cases are ready and being outfitted for patients.
The maternity ward is a requirement for medical facilities in Burkina Faso.
A foundation who requests to remain anonymous gave a matching grant to ACTS. They provided $70,000 towards the medical facility construction and ACTS partners in the US and Burkina Faso provided more than the amount requested for the grant.
The expansion of the medical program was a necessity as poor families in the villages surrounding the ACTS Center have no access to medical care.
Children in our classes are eager to learn and listen attentively in classes. But disease is close at hand. The dust blown about by the wind brings with it bacteria and virus that infect lungs. Malaria is a deadly disease for village children already weakened by malnutrition and lung diseases. The dry season also brings meningitis, polio, mumps and measles.
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| Nurse Rachel during a medical consultation with a student from ACTS Secondary School at the Ellel Medical Center. |
At the Ellel Medical Center, three nurses are on staff at the center on a 24-hour basis. Onsite clinic has few supplies and equipment that have been donated by partners in Burkina, the US and Europe. Daily the nurses treat sick children with prayer, aspirin, vitamins and a few prescription drugs.
The newly built Ellel Medical Center will meet the children's daily and emergency medical needs as well as providing medical care for villagers in the surrounding communities.
In April 2009, several hundred women gathered to learn about the medical services available at the Ellel Medical Center. Special medical cards for discounted treatment were given to 100 of the most needy widows.
Burkina Faso has a high incidence of death among new mothers and infants under five years of age. The Medical Center will provide prenatal care for mothers, a maternity ward and medical assessment and treatment for children at risk.
MAP (Medical Assistance Program) of Brunswick, GA provided prescription medicines and supplies for the Ellel Medical Center. So far two shipments have been hand-carried to Burkina from the US.
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| Carpenters constructing desks for the Ellel Medical Center |
The vocational programs at the ACTS Center are constructing desks, tables, chairs and making uniforms for the Ellel Medical Center and team.
The ACTS Dental Clinic was constructed in 2007. Dental equipment was installed and orphans and staff have begun basic dental care in the newly built dental facility.
Soon we expect a team of physicians to come from Indiana to train medical staff and to volunteer their services for six weeks. This is an answer to prayer.
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| ACTS dentist,Ezéchiel Bambara, began cleaning and examining teeth in 2008 |
ACTS needs to secure funding to equip the medical facility and secure supplies for the clinics.
Three physicians and three nurses have begun working at the Ellel Medical Center. The government has promised to allocate a doctor and nurse to staff the medical clinic and a physician from Ouagadougou has promised to donate time to the ACTS Medical Clinic when it is built.
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| Medical technician, Paul Ouedraogo, testing samples at the Ellel Medical Center |
Hospitals in a developing country like Burkina Faso are not staffed, equipped and supplied as hospitals we see in the developed countries. Supplies are meager. There are few qualified doctors. Medicine is not always available.
Right now the ACTS staff is stretched as far as they can go. In 2007 and 2008 we expended all the money earmarked for salaries and building projects.
World Medical Mission division of Samaritan's Purse will send a container of much needed equipment to ACTS in spring of 2009. We are grateful for this assistance for much needed equipment.
We continue to look for additional sources for medical supplies, medicines and equipment as well as funds for supplying water. The medical/dental center needs a supply of fresh water before it can be fully operational. The government has given us permission to connect to the water being pumped through pipes from Ouagadougou. Funding is needed for this project.
We believe the Lord has prepared donors to fill in the gaps. Are you one of those individuals?
- Do you know someone who might be able to donate medical supplies?
- Or would you be willing to help with funds to connect to city water?
- Would you pray for ACTS to find the open doors for funding?
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| Empty ward room at Ellel needs beds, equipment and supplies |
Thank you very much for partnering with ACTS Ministry in Burkina Faso. Your gift will bring hope and show the poor that others care about them because of Jesus Christ.
[click here to see description of medical program]
