Baptist Medical Centre

Dr. Joel Dickens, Hollie , Colt and Abigail

In November the Dickens family joined us at BMC. Joel is an OB/GYN and they are planning to stay with us for two years. Hollie is home schooling Colt and taking care of Abigail and the rest of the family. Not only is it great to have an extra doctor, but the rest of the family is a welcome addition to the mission family. Please join us in praying for their continued adjustment to life here and pray for Hollie as she is expecting their third in a few months.

Unique Public Health ministry serves rural Ghana
By Emily Peters
Photos by William Haun

NALERIGU, Ghana (BP) — Missionary Cherry Faile smiles when she hears villagers singing songs in the Manpruli language about how to properly nurse children or cook nutritious meals.

In a place where accurate statistics are tough to track, the songs affirm that the public health programs she helped develop at the Baptist Medical Centre in rural Ghana are working.

“You’d hear them singing those songs everywhere,” says Faile, daughter of the doctor who helped found the hospital 50 years ago. “You’d be surprised how quickly those messages spread and become part of the thinking in the community.” Read the rest of this entry »

Medical volunteers help sustain Baptist Medical Centre
By Emily Peters

Photos by William Haun

NALERIGU, Ghana (BP)  — Villagers line up outside the Baptist Medical Centre in northern Ghana as soon as the sun peeks over the mountains of this mud-hut town.

A baby sweating with malaria fever. A woman with a cough that could be tuberculosis. A farmer bitten by a cobra in the fields. Hypertension, hernias, tumors — just a few of the ailments among the 600 patients waiting on the outpatient porch.

“Looks like it’s going to be another long day,” says missionary doctor George Faile III, one of only two doctors on staff at the hospital, which was founded 50 years ago by the International Mission Board.

The hospital could sure use more hands to help cover the patient load, says Faile. Read the rest of this entry »

Baptist Medical Centre has impacted Ghana for 50 years
By Emily Peters
Photos by William Haun

NALERIGU, Ghana (BP) — Dr. George Faile III was just 8 years old when he started tagging along as his father treated patients at Ghana’s Baptist Medical Centre 50 years ago.
Young Faile saw countless patients with malaria or snake bites. But instead of seeking professional medical help, many villagers in Nalerigu visited spirit doctors who treated ailments with herbal remedies, libations and skin-cutting rituals.

Today, Faile — who serves as medical superintendent of the hospital his father helped start with the International Mission Board — has seen things change not only medically but spiritually. People are more willing to seek access to modern medicine. Through the years medical missionaries have started more than 70 churches and continue to bring news of the true Healer.

That ministry is why Ghanaians turned out to celebrate the hospital’s 50th anniversary this fall. Villagers from all over northern Ghana converged for a weeklong celebration, which culminated in a grand outdoor event that drew 3,000 people.

“I have seen Baptist medical facilities all over the world,” says IMB Executive Vice President Clyde Meador, who spoke at the event. “I don’t know of another that has served in a more challenging place and yet has made such an impact on the community. I give thanks to God who has made it all possible.”

And that impact runs deep in an area where there’s only one paved road and most people live in mud huts. Read the rest of this entry »

During the past few months we have had a number of volunteers who have continued to provide good help and support. Below are the most recent visitors, some of whom are still with us.

Dr. and Mrs. Doug Parkin

Dr. Doug Parkin is a pediatrician from Arizona who has been to Nalerigu several times. He and his wife came again and it was a pleasure to have them work with us. Dr. Parkin was a big help in clinic and on the wards seeing many of the children who are so sick at this time of year.

Dr. and Mrs. Bill Prine, Rev. Bill Graham, Gayle Mulberry, Mike and Sandy Provine, Justine Howe and Jonathan Bradley

Another pediatrician who worked with us for the first time was Dr. Bill Prine. Dr. Prine and his wife came with a team from First Baptist Church, Clarkseville, TN. The other members of the team spent time in nearby villages and in some of the schools.

Dr. Charles Barrier and Holly

Dr. Charles Barrier came for his second time and brought his daughter with him. He is a gastroenterologist and his daughter is a pharmacy student. Dr. Barrier did a lot of upper endoscopies for us and was a big help in the clinic.

Dr. Erle Kirby, Chris Kirby and Gabriel Fortin

Dr. Erle Kirby, a surgeon from Canada came again and was a big help during our 50th anniversary celebration. He brought two Canadian medical students with him. Chris Kirby, his son and Gabriel Fortin. maybe they will come back later when they are further along in their training.

Dr. Warren Cooper

Dr. Warren Cooper was at the hospital for only a few days, but he came at a good time. He is a general surgeon who works with Samaritans Purse. He was able to help us with a number of difficult and unusual surgical cases. We are hoping that we will see more help from Samaritans Purse in the future.

Dr. Cynthia Schandorf and Dr. Michelle Wilkening

Dr. Cynthia Schandorf and Dr. Michelle Wilkening spent several weeks with us. Cynthia is a pediatric resident and Michelle is a family practice resident. They worked together and were abig help with clinic, call and making rounds. We wish them all the best as they finish their training and begin their careers.

Dr. Ken Kelley

Dr. Ken Kelly is an ER resident who came and worked with us for several weeks. He is in the same program as Dr. Colleen Crowe who came earlier in the year.

Dr. Femke Veldman

Dr. Femke Veldman recently graduated from medical school in Holland. She came to work with us in August and will be leaving in December. She has been working hard and has been a big help. Her father came for a short time and helped her celebrate her birthday while she was there. She will return to Holland to do the equivalent of internship/residency. We enjoyed having her with us and wish her all the best as she continues her training.

Below are the students who came and worked with us during the past few months. Daniel Dukarevich is from Israel and Sarah Thornton is from England. They contributed to the international flavor of our community. Eleasa Teng and Pamela Choi will soon be looking for residency positions and we wish them all the best as they seek God’s leadership for their future.

William Haun returned to help document the events surrounding our 50th Anniversary celebration. As before, he took a lot of very nice picture which can be seen on this site and at the Hauns in Africa site. Thanks!, William for your help and support. And thanks to Heidi for allowing you to come again.

The 50th celebration was a 5 hour event with many different dignitaries and guests speaking. Following are some pictures of some the speakers.

At the hospital’s 50th anniversary celebration, Dr. George Faile III gave a speech where he covered the hospital’s 50 year history in Nalerigu, Ghana. Below is a 15 minute excerpt from his speech.

When the Nayiri (paramount chief of the Mamprusi) arrives at an event, everything stops. The video clip below is of his grand entrance to the hospital’s 50th celebration event. He is preceded by a processional of beeping motorcycles, chiefs, and sub-chiefs, then he arrives in his car which is surrounded by drummers.