CMF Tsunami Appeal

Thanks to all those who gave so generously to CMF’s Appeal following the Boxing Day Tsunami which altogether raised over £22,000 from members to support relief work, re-establishment of healthcare services and rebuilding of local communities in Sri Lanka, India, the Andaman Islands and Indonesia. The money will be shared equally between four of our partner organisations – Christian Medical Association of India (CMAI), Evangelical Medical Fellowship of India (EMFI), Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Indonesia (CMDFI) and Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA). The appeal is now closed.

Increasing Global Awareness Post Tsunami

The Indian Ocean Tsunami shook the world and the 24/7 news coverage that followed, like the aftershocks, made us very much aware that what happens in distant lands impacts us all. As one Royal Navy sailor who was sent to the scene of devastation commented, ‘I have been completely changed by this experience. It was one thing to see it on TV, quite another to experience it firsthand.’

The disaster led to an unprecedented global outpouring of finance and help, which we trust will be wisely used to supply the needs of those most affected. At the same time, concerns have been expressed both in terms of the ongoing reconstruction needs (once the situation is no longer headline news) and the effect of diverting resources from the ever present problems of HIV/AIDs in Africa where, as one Malawian politician has put it, deaths from AIDS are the equivalent of a Tsunami occurring almost every month.

These events brought home to me my need both to be aware of what is going on in the world around me and to consider afresh, my response to the needs of the poor. In the midst of all this, two articles in BMJ Career Focus caught my eye. One was entitled:

NHS Links – a new approach to international Health Links

The network, which was set up in collaboration with THET (the Tropical and Health Education Trust), was established by doctors and health professionals involved in a variety of health links between NHS Trusts and Health Centres in less developed countries. It aims to encourage and support the spread of health links in NHS hospitals and primary healthcare trusts, to raise awareness of global health. The article is well worth reading.

NHS Links recently hosted a day conference in Leeds, entitled ‘Promoting Global Awareness’. The meeting, which was addressed by the Chief Medical Officer and the Secretary for State for International Development, Hilary Benn, explored the opportunities and challenges of such links and looked at ways of promoting collaboration in training, organisational development and research.

Surgical training in the developing world

Having spent time in a Christian teaching hospital in Tanzania, two urological trainees pointed out the personal and professional benefits of spending time overseas. Both came back with a renewed enthusiasm for medicine and having been made to think about what was really important in their own, and other people’s lives. The article includes many practical tips about organising such a visit.

A challenge to get involved

We regularly advertise short-term mission opportunities on our overseas website at www.healthserve.org and many within the Fellowship are involved in such activities. BMS (www.bmsworldmission.org) and SIM (www.sim.co.uk) are both involved in sending short medical term teams overseas. We are currently in discussions with these agencies as to how CMF can support and encourage these activities. Several of our members overseas have said that they would value teams visiting them. It would be a win/win situation, in which you are likely to gain far more than you give but one where our overseas colleagues would be greatly encouraged by the practical demonstration of your love and concern.

Returning recently from six months overseas, one of our members commented on how much it had changed her whole outlook on life and her practice of medicine - one of the reasons emphasised in the DoH document International Humanitarian and Health Work (previously mentioned in these pages) - for getting involved overseas. The document provides DoH backing and practical advice for doctors considering such work. (www.doh. gov.uk)

As Jesus said, the poor will always be with us. The need will always be there. Creative ways of getting involved are available. As Mary told the servants at the Wedding Feast at Cana, ‘Whatever he (Jesus) says to you – (are we listening?) – Do it’ (John 2:5)

Elective Days

Over 60 students attended our annual elective days in Leeds (5 March) and London (16 March), where they were equipped, resourced and enthused to help them prepare for an overseas elective. Don’t forget our electives information online at www.healthserve.org/electives/

Peter Armon
Overseas Support Secretary