August 2021: God’s Work Through Health Care
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Dzake Community Health Clinic in Peki, Ghana hosts monthly immunization clinics. Children from birth to age five receive free medical care and immunizations. They are brought by their mothers to be weighed, measured, and immunized. This is always an organized, chaotic day at the clinic. Mothers carry their children strapped to their backs with a long, wide strip of cloth wrapped around to hold the children snug. They bring with them a “weighing card,” which is a booklet that contains their medical history from birth – there are no computerized medical records here. They also have a “weighing sack” that the little one is put into and carefully hung from the scale to record their weight. The room is packed with children running around. Babies are crying, and the TV is blaring. The community health nurses run the clinic, and this is just one of their locations. They travel to several different locations throughout the town of Peki to reach as many children as possible.
They also have a polio campaign where the nurses walk through the communities and stop at each house to see if there are children who need the vaccine. Malaria is another disease that affects a lot of Ghanaians. The World Health Organization, along with the Ghana Health Service, implemented a Malaria vaccine pilot program in Ghana. Hopefully soon, this will be another vaccine on the immunization list as it becomes widely available.
I remember taking my own children to the health department for their immunizations. I am thankful they were able to receive these. I am thankful that our clinic in Peki provides this service for the community. It is a joy to know that these children are safe. This is just another way I see God’s work in our world.
Debbie Colvin serves with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, OGHS, and your special gifts.