Project 069 - Siloam's medical ministry in India

The grim alternative to modern medicine. This practice of purging the souls of mental patients still carries on today as well as other horrific practices that are claimed to 'cure' many diseases.

Checking for high blood pressure to help prevent strokes and heart attacks. It was at a medical camp like this in 2002, that our UK Director Richard Norton discovered he also suffered with high blood pressure!

Our medical ministry van travels to different locations each month making health care available to those least able to afford it.

Over 200 children on the 8th of January were also examined by a Siloam sponsored dentist.

Ganga became affected with leprosy more than 10 years ago and slowly the condition has worsened. Thankfully, after coming to a medical camp sponsored by Siloam and its affiliate Childcare Worldwide, she can begin to take medical treatment.

Blood pressure and tests for diabetes blood sugar levels are also routinely undertaken.

Why Siloam's medical ministry in India must continue.

India may well be a nuclear power and have a rapidly expanding economy but with over a billion souls to feed and care for, the task is enormous. Still, about 260 million people fall below the poverty line and more than 350 million adults are illiterate.

Small wonder it is then that modern medicine is more accessible to the affluent and well educated. Indeed, the country is becoming divided between those that 'have' and those that 'have not.'

Not so long ago, I was taken by one of our doctors in Coimbatore in South India to a place where mentally ill patients are brought for 'alterative medical treatment.' The patients are usually brought by relatives, some patients I saw in chains to prevent them from escaping or harming others. The 'treatment' consists of purging the body with cold water to 'wash demons from the soul.' The practice has continued for centuries and many prefer this kind of 'treatment' because they are ignorant about the benefits of modern medicine.

For more than 40 years, Siloam has funded medical facilities and clinics all over South India where people have come to consult a properly qualified MBBS Doctors and receive sound medical advice and treatment. We also partner with the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital in Coimbatore where our medical ministry began and which is now a centre of excellence for the treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. We have treated thousands of patients with these eye complaints over the decades but you can read our eye ministry by going to webpage 009 to learn more.

Our medical ministry in India at the present time consists of funding doctors and nurses to go remote locations away from the government hospitals and private clinics so they can treat poor patients for simple maladies exactly where they are. We undertake to monitor diabetic patients for their blood sugar levels as India is experiencing an explosion of diabetes probably brought about because of the changing diet of the population. High blood pressure is also a major problem and the condition doesn't have any early side effects which is why it's so important to check people and advise them to seek proper medical help.

Children are also screened for dental problems as well as immunisation programmes undertaken for many who are unable to afford medical treatment we take for granted in the UK.

In January 2013 while I was personally visiting one of our medical camps on the outskirts of Chennai, we discovered two dear people a mother and child suffering with leprosy. We were able to get urgent medical help for Amulu and her mother Ganga and we are continuing to help them financially while they undertake medical treatment and rehabilitation which will take sometime.

Had we not had a medical camp at this location on the outskirts of Chennai, this little family who work in a nearby brick kiln would continue to remain suffering.

That is why it's important that Siloam and its affiliate Childcare Worldwide, continues to use medical aid as an expression of God's love to those unable to afford healthcare.

A gift of £50 could help sponsor a doctor for a day. £25 could provide medical tests for several diabetic patients. Even a gift of £5 can be used to provide medicines to help poor people suffering with high blood pressure and other maladies. Your help is needed – your love does matter. And, we need regular gifts of £10.00 just to put diesel in the mobile medical van.

If you want to help, please go to our 'Donate' page and share with us today.

Yours sincerely

Richard Norton
Director-Siloam UK

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