Medical Program
FAQs
What is the Medical Ministry?
It is a Scripture Union Peru project that works to improve the health (physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing) of marginalized communities that have limited economic resources, through health promotion and provision of preventative and curative health care services. The project is based in Iquitos, Loreto (Peru).
Background
In 2001 the Vine Trust donated a ship ("Amazon Hope", ex-Royal Navy ship "RMAS Milford") to Scripture Union Peru (SU-Peru). SU-Peru began using the ship to carry out medical trips to the river Amazon and its tributaries.
Peruvian, American and British medical teams traveled on Amazon Hope to provide medical services to rural riverside communities. SU-Peru's medical ministry was born. Over the next couple of years the medical trips were carried out with increasing frequency and improved organization. In 2005 the ministry grew with the opening of the "Hogar de Belén" clinic in Belén, Iquitos. SU-Peru's local medical team also grew. In 2006 Amazon Hope 2 (ex-"RMAS Ixworth") arrived in Iquitos, fitted out with a modern medical complex onboard. The ship entered into service on the project. With the lengthening and refitting of Amazon Hope in 2007 / 2008 and the development of strategic partnerships with local and international actors (including the Vine Trust, the Regional Government of Loreto, the Peruvian Ministry of Health, and the Peruvian Navy) the ministry's activities have continued to grow and develop.
Vision, mission, objectives - what is our contribution to the community?
- Vision: "A example project (of excellence) that contributes to improving the quality of life of marginalized communities through providing integrated health care services which are based on real identified needs and a renowned intervention approach".
- Mission: "To provide high quality health care services to the target population in an integrated manner, and promote healthy lifestyles, following Jesus' example".
- Final objective of the Medical Ministry: "To achieve a significant improvement in the physical and spiritual health of the population of marginalized and isolated communities; and to empower the population to look after their own health, and grow in their relationship with God".
What activities are carried out on the project?
At present the medical ministry carries out the following activities:
- Medical trips: Twice a month the Amazon Hope medical ships travel to rivers in Loreto (including the Amazon, Manití, Ucayali, Marañon and Tigre). Each river is visited once every three months. Peruvian and British (Vine Trust) or American medical teams provide health care services to riverside villages. The health care services we provide include: general medical attention, dental treatment (fillings, extractions and fluorization), First Aid, minor surgery, lab tests, pharmacy, treatment for stomach parasites, vaccinations, family planning, gynecology, obstetrics, and child growth monitoring (paediatrics).
- Health promotion: During the medical trips we give talks to the patients from the riverside villages, to create awareness on a number of health issues, and to promote healthy sustainable lifestyles. We give the same talks at schools in Belén.
- Ophthalmology campaigns: Every year we carry out surgery campaigns to treat Cataracts and Pterygium eye problems in the target population. We do this with the help of Vine Trust's Ophthalmology team from the UK.
- Evangelism and discipleship: During the medical trips we also carry out evangelism campaigns in riverside villages. We do this in close coordination with local churches. In addition, we train local pastors to use a discipleship course which they then use to disciple their congregations and new Christians. We also mobilize Christian materials for local pastors.
- Health attention in Belén: Our clinic, "Hogar de Belén" offers the same health services as the ships do, to the population of Belén shanty town in Iquitos and nearby riverside villages.
- Strengthening education and promoting values: In the "Hogar de Belén" clinic we also provide local children with help with their education. The children receive extra tuition on subjects such as mathematics, literature, languages (English) and values. They also receive help with their school homework and are provided with lunches.
- Promotion of safe drinking water: Part of our work in health promotion involves encouraging people to drink clean / treated water. We plan to soon provide treated water to the local population of Belén (for a minimal price) using a newly installed water treatment system in our clinic.
Organization: personnel and volunteers
Our local medical team comprises 1 doctor, 1 nurse, 2 nurse technicians and 1 social worker. In addition our two medical ships have full-time crews. Volunteers also work on the project and help by providing children's tuition and translation services.
Medium and long-term plans
In the short and medium-term we plan to consolidate the work of the ministry and further develop the relationships with our partners. We also plan to further develop and grow our health promotion work. In the long-term we plan to expand the project so that it benefits communities within a wider geographic area. We also plan to replicate the project's methods and activities in other regions.
For more information, please visit:
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Want to be a part of a work team?
1. E-mail us with your questions at billyclark@
scriptureunionperu.org.
2. Whether your team chooses to visit the Amazon jungle of Iquitos, the high Andes Mountains in Kusi, Ica, the driest desert on earth or the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco, please request your dates early. Come for a week or two and let us show you several of our exciting sites!
3. COST: In order to make ends meet, we need 20 member teams in order to offer an all-inclusive daily cost of $35 per person, in addition to a $200 per person per week fee to cover construction costs and contribute towards ministry.
4. DOMESTIC FLIGHTS (Iquitos and Cusco): $350. (*)
5. CONSTRUCTION FEES: $4000 per team of 20 per week.
(*) Air fares vary. When contacting us, please indicate whether you wish the difference from the $350 to be refunded to your church or sending institution by check or whether you agree for it to remain as a donation for our program to Abandoned Boys.
Key Verse
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Psalms 119:105