Healthcare Mission News

The Global Mission Partnership Task Force and Samaritans Now, an Episcopal medical relief program, are hosting an informational meeting for any and all healthcare professionals interested in participating in a mission trip (doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, etc.). Plans are currently underway for healthcare mission trips in 2010 and 2011 to the Caribbean, West Bank and Africa.

In our time together we anticipate that you’ll develop a vision for what is involved in this type of trip, learn more about details of participation as a member of a medical team, and discern whether or not this is the right commitment for you. Participants will hear from others who have participated in, and led, healthcare missions, and see some video clips of a mission team in action. There will be ample opportunities to have your questions answered and talk with other healthcare professionals.

If you’ve ever had any thoughts about participating in a healthcare mission trip, we hope you’ll consider joining us. Questions can be addressed to Ted Gaiser at tgaiser@diomass.org or 617.782.1577.

MEETING:

The Global Mission Partnership Task Force (GMPTF) is currently going through some changes. In the coming months, there will be three additions to the GMPTF family.

Over the past several years the Diocese has had groups of individuals active around issues related to peace in Palestine/Israel and working for justice for Palestinians. Various trips have been made to the region, people have supported Palestinian businesses in various ways, people have been involved in various advocacy efforts, fundraising efforts have enabled our Diocese to be generous in its support of projects such as housing in Ramallah, the emergency room at St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus, and the elder housing project in Ber Zeit, and churches have developed relationships with churches such as Emmanuel in Ramla, St. Andrew’s in Ramallah, and St. Peter’s in Ber Zeit ... and more ... A Palestine/Israel Task Force is forming to continue work in the region by focusing our efforts on continuing the work of Bp. Harris and others in developing our relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem, providing tools and resources to educate the members of our Diocese about the issues, and working collaboratively with other organizations to expand opportunities for interfaith dialog.

There are several parishes, and individuals, in our Diocese that have been active in Haiti over the years developing church partnerships, providing medical care, assisting with construction projects, and supporting schools. In response to the recent earthquake, members of the Diocese have come together to form a Haiti Task Force. The task force is addressing both short-and long-term responses to Haiti's needs. In the short-term, we are encouraging people to offer prayers for Haiti, conducting fundraising, and supporting those who are currently able to help as certified first responders. In the long-term, we hope to facilitate reconstruction and healthcare mission trips in the coming months and years.

Members of the GMPTF have expressed a growing desire on the part of healthcare professionals in our churches to participate in mission activities that take advantage of their professional skills. In response, Samaritans Now, an Episcopal medical relief organization, has joined forces with the GMPTF to create a Global Healthcare Mission Task Force. We will be hosting an informational meeting at St. Mary’s Church, Newton Lower Falls (Saturday, 4/10, 10:00AM) for any and all healthcare professionals interested in participating in a mission trip (doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, physical therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, etc.). Plans are currently underway for healthcare mission trips in 2010 and 2011 to the Caribbean, West Bank and Africa.

HAITI DISASTER RELIEF

*** Most aid organizations can only take trained professionals … people with disaster relief certification. The Red Cross offers a course, if you’re interested.

*** There are few things we can do in the immediate besides pray and donate funding, as there is limited access to Haiti (as is often the case in a disaster situation).

*** While the immediate disaster is front and center on our mind, there will be much that needs to be done for MANY years to come. Just because you don’t go this week doesn’t mean you should scrap your interest in offering relief. Get some training, raise some funding, and make some connections (after the “smoke” clears, as they say) and then go to help.

There is plenty to be done in disaster relief. Here is some information that might be useful if you’re considering donating or getting involved:

Donating

The Society of St. Margaret, 17 Highland Park Street, Boston, MA 02119. For updates and more information about the sisters’ work in Haiti, go to www.ssmbos.com and click on the “Haiti” page link.

Episcopal Relief and Development: Donate online at www.er-d.org or call 800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Donations can be mailed to Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058. (Please put “Haiti Fund” in the memo line of all checks.) Also, Episcopal Relief and Development is producing a bulletin insert that will be available online.

Volunteering

The highest demand right now is medical support and supplies. If you have some kind of healthcare skills, have disaster training, and are prepared to travel to Haiti, here is some information that may help.

Contacts

Doctors without Borders 212.679.6800 … has an online volunteer form and probably won’t accept anyone who lacks disaster experience and/or training.

Partners in Health 617.432.5256 … is based out of Boston and has medical programs and facilities in Haiti (PiH has set up a temporary field hospital in Port-Au-Prince and all medical facilities are reporting a lack of sufficient staff and medical supplies).

Episcopal Relief & Development 800.334.7626, ext. 5129 … has a disaster relief program and may have a channel for volunteers.

The Episcopal Church of Haiti … http://www.egliseepiscopaledhaiti.org and the local contact through the diocesan offices in Haiti is The Rev. Kesner Ajax … kesnerajax@yahoo.com . Though communication in Haiti is currently a challenge, Kesner has had some internet access.

Credentials

It’s recommended that you carry a copy of any current valid medical credentials or licenses. You might plan to keep one in your bag and another physically on you. That’s also the case with your passport. Be sure to keep a copy of your passport separate from your actual passport. (If your passport is lost or stolen, a copy will significantly expedite replacement.)

Self-care

You’ll be going in to difficult places and be exposed to increasing health risks. If you haven’t been to a travel clinic recently, you should do so. Get things like malaria tablets. Unlike a typical mission-related trip, you’ll want to remember to take supplies such as water treatment tablets which are usually available in stores like Eastern Mountain Sports and REI.

Packing

Plan to pack “extremely” light. You’ll probably be carrying your personal belongings much of the time. A good rule is for all of your personal items to fit in one carry-on. Keep in mind that you’re in a disaster area, so keeping up appearances isn’t really an issue. If you’re a medical professional, you may want to restrict the majority of your wardrobe to scrubs. Scrubs are appropriate for just about any healthcare environment and provide an added advantage of identifying you as medical.

Take as many checked bags as you can handle and that are allowed … filled with all types of medical supplies (you might call the airline prior to departure to see if you can get luggage fees waived for humanitarian efforts). Think in terms of any kind of bandaging or wound cleansing materials, as well as any antibiotics, Benedryl, Ibuprofen, extra strength Ibuprofen, Vitamins, Children’s Tylenol, basic personal items such as a toothbrushes, lotions, hand sanitizers, and so forth.

Provided by:

The Global Mission Partnership Task Force

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts

Dianne is an RN, living and working as a long-term missioner in Maseno, Kenya. Dianne writes: "I left my heart in... Maseno, Kenya!" It was a privilege to work with Drs. Gerry and Nan Hardison in East Africa in November and December of 2007. The Episcopal Church has commissioned me to return in the fall of 2008 for a longer-term assignment. It will be an honor to work again at Maseno Hospital, the HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Care Center, and with the mobile medical clinics and feeding programs that serve thousands of orphans in Western Province every week. "Love one another," we are so often reminded. I invite you to join me in loving service, holding hearts and hands in communion around the world. Asante sana! (Thank you very much!)

View Dianne's excellent blog at: http://heart-to-god.blogspot.com.