Transitions…

Debbie and I have been here a week… we’re over jet lag; I’ve even seen a couple patients! But we’re just getting into the real business of this transition, and we are right in the middle of a rather big transition for ELWA Hospital that will last at least another year. 

The obvious physical transition is that ELWA is going to move into a new hospital, hopefully by the end of 2014.  The hospital is being built for ELWA by Samaritan’s Purse (SP). The Kitchen/Laundry Building is complete; the cement block structure of the new Outpatient Clinic is mostly done; the Male, Female, and Pediatrics Wards are being built; and the Operating Room and Obstetrics Ward will be next. 

Some masons working on the upstairs Pediatrics Ward (above), and the new Male Ward (below).

SP’s Construction Supervisor, our good friend Rusty Laird, alongside the Outpatient Clinic (below):

The less visible transition is actually even more challenging, but also more rewarding.  We already have 2 new surgeons here (one missionary and one Liberian); two more family docs are scheduled to arrive during the next couple of months.  We will need to find ways to fit in with the doctors already here working, to improve the conditions and care at the hospital to a level where both effective ministry and residency training can take place, and begin the routines of quality improvement and learning that will help us start a Family Medicine Residency Program for local doctors.  All with a cross-cultural team of physicians.  Should be exciting!  Stay tuned….