MAI Annual Review 2022:23

Annual Review 2022-23 highlights Compassionate care in a suffering world How your unwavering support has brought health and hope to people in desperate circumstances over the last year

Legacies of Hope When life is hard, we tend to keep our head down. We meet our responsibilities, do what is expected of us, and that’s it. We stay in our lane and do not engage much beyond it. Anything else is not our problem. Wouldn’t life be awful if all we Within the MAI movement, we ‘... we’ve been did was to stay in our lane – a believe in a world where we go the a movement of world full of unremitting suffering extra mile. In a literal sense, it people deeply met merely with a shrug of can mean picking up the infirm committed to the shoulders? and carrying them that extra mile redressing the to take them to the clinic. For injustice of Wouldn’t it be awful if we others, it will mean giving inaccessibility genuinely had no capacity to sacrificially or praying earnestly. of healthcare’ make a difference, no ability to stand up to the seemingly This has held true for our entire inevitable, and no desire to invest 20 years: we’ve been a movement in loving relationships because of people deeply committed to they are complicated redressing the injustice of and demanding? inaccessibility of healthcare. There are legacies of hope in Wouldn’t it be awful if 2022’s cost places we no longer work in: of living crisis meant that our Nepal, Nigeria, and Lebanon, to global neighbours simply starved, name a few. It is not our legacy suffered, or perished because so much, but rather the legacy of income had dried up? God’s faithfulness at work in the fragile places. Wouldn’t it be awful if, by staying in our lane, we washed out our In view of this, let me commend Kingdom hope, Gospel vision and our story of 2022 to you. A collective witness? story of getting out of our lane when the economic climate, Thankfully, the last year for growing global insecurity MAI has shown no such apathy. and a conservatism born of The thought that we got out of self-preservation, could have our lane and met intractable conspired to make us ordinary, problems with faith, generosity, but failed to do so. and servanthood, whelms me with pride. Another year of health and Steve Sanderson hope experienced by thousands Chair of Trustees of people living in four of the world’s most fragile places because we did more than what was expected of us. 2 Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights

When the poor get sick, life gets tougher still Few people living in extreme poverty have All we do is shaped and driven by the access to universal healthcare.  fact that we: The nearest clinic or hospital can often be many miles Are moved and compelled by away. Paying for transport and then treatment is 1 God’s love and committed to extremely hard when every day is a struggle to survive. demonstrating that love The fact that most poor people rely on casual, manual in action. work for money makes this especially tough. That dries up quickly when you’re ill and there’s no safety net of Are appalled by the government support. Many people end up in debt as a 2 brokenness of humanity, result, their pain and anxiety levels spiralling. and committed to addressing Since 2003, MAI has existed to change this by injustice so the most vulnerable supporting affordable, quality healthcare in some of people can access the the world’s poorest places. healthcare they need. We are grateful over the last 20 years to have Are inspired by the dedication had loyal supporters and superb health partners 3 and compassion of our showing God’s love through their generosity, dedication and compassion. partners and are committed to listening and responding Currently we have partners in Chad, India, South to their priorities so we can Africa, and South Sudan. This report shows the work towards a shared impact of the excellent work they are doing. vision for change. Together, we are saving and changing lives. Value every penny and minute 4 of time given to us and are committed to the most effective use of these resources. Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights 3

Embo Primary Healthcare Clinic - KwaZulu Natal - South Africa It brings tears to my eyes… One of our longest partnerships has been with Embo Community Church and the wonderful Pastor Leonard Gcabashe. Pastor Leonard tells the story. Pastor Leonard IN 2022, EMBO Today, the Department of Health CLINIC HAS: consider it to be one of the best ‘It brings tears to my eyes to run clinics in the area. think of the journey we have been Conducted 31,200 walking with MAI since 2009. patient consultations For the past 3 years, our community has been challenged You were there with us when Helped over mightily and you have continued the HIV epidemic was still at 15,000 patients to support us through it. its height and so many people were dying from AIDS. With your Provided 2,889 food parcels to The impact of severe Covid-19 support, we were able to provide families of seriously ill patients was devastating for those we compassionate home-based care support with HIV and TB. for hundreds of patients. Home-based care and support All the bedridden patients our for 606 vulnerable patients caregivers regularly visited in Back then, patients had to walk their homes died because their 10 miles or catch 2 buses to get to immune system was already the nearest health centre. weak and could not fight My wife and I, and our church against the virus. leaders, prayed for a clinic that would provide primary healthcare During this time, unemployment services locally. With the support was so high, leading to some from MAI a clinic was built and families going to bed without started to serve the Embo food. With support from MAI, community in September 2014. our caregivers supplied food parcels to the most destitute patients. In April 2022, we experienced floods in our province which left some families without a shelter to protect themselves and made the situation of hunger even worse in Embo. Some families stayed in our community hall and the team of caregivers would supply food and clothing there. God has a purpose to demonstrate His grace, despite all our social challenges. We believe Embo Primary Healthcare Clinic is chosen by God and this is why our relationship with MAI continues. In our December 2022 prayer meeting with the church board, we strongly agreed that this relationship was from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ 4 Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights

Guinebor II Hospital – N’Djamena – Chad I have seen my child improve a lot Life has significantly improved for 4 year old Amina since her mother Fatima started bringing her to the new Child Development Centre at Guinebor II. ‘Amina is more responsive, smiling and laughing. The advice I get here about physical exercises, how to play and communicate with her I share with my family, so we are all helping her.’ There has been a 60% increase in disabled children receiving integrated therapy treatment. As word gets out, more children will attend this special place, the only clinic of its kind in Chad. When, at 7 months old, Amina ‘Amina is more Life-saving nutrition was not sitting up as she should, responsive, smiling In 2022, the child nutrition Fatima was naturally concerned. and laughing’ programme treated 293 So she took her daughter to a children for severe acute specialist in N’Djamena, but after balance and mobility. As Amina is malnutrition, saving a year of them just massaging not talking, the music therapist at their lives. That’s 3 times Amina’s limbs, there was no the centre uses play and speech the number in 2021, as improvement. Amina was also therapy tools, sign language and awareness about the service hardly eating at all. visual choices to help her learn grows. ‘It is wonderful to how to communicate the best that have seen so many children It was then that Fatima brought she can. make great improvements Amina to the Child Development and are no longer needing to Centre at Guinebor II, which Fatima has seen tremendous come back for follow up,’ says provides integrated therapy change in Amina since treatment Project Nutritionist Achta treatment for children with began, which has given her hope. Betoulum. disabilities. Each session is ‘I have seen my child improve a subsidised by MAI supporters so lot,’ she says. ‘Her general state is 5 the poorest families can afford it. much better, and she eats better. Before she could not straighten Doctors have diagnosed Amina her legs, now she can. with Cerabral Palsy. The sessions at Guinebor II are significantly improving her muscle tone, Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights

2022 in numbers Your gifts enabled our excellent partners to provide health care and support to over 9,500 people 2462 2332 pregnant mothers received safe hospital antenatal check ups births in Chad 1314 336 people received malnourished children community-based received therapeutic food care and treatment 943 340 patients in South Africa living people with TB received with HIV had regular health essential treatment and checks and counselling support 198 23,500+ people in India with life-limiting people given vital public illness received compassionate awareness information to help end-of-life care them improve their health Churches: Regular Embo Health Martha Health Running & 9% giving: Clinic, South Centre, South support costs: 22% 6% Trusts & Africa: 9% Sudan: 3% foundations: Fundraising: 26% 18% 2022 Guinebor II 2022 Income: Hospital, mother Expenditure: £160,878 & child care, £218,959 Chad: 28% Individual Chinchpada one-off Christian Hospital, India (inc isolation donations: ward building): 37% 42% Our partners and all the people they serve 6 would like to say an enormous thank you. All figures are subject to confirmation via annual audit Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights Expenditure includes restricted funds carried forward for CCH isolation ward.

‘The poor serve us with glimpses of beauty and truth straight from the heart of God. Not being here would be our own great loss’ Dr Ashita Singh, Chinchpada Christian Hospital, India Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights 7

Chinchpada Christian Hospital – Nandubar District Maharastra – India A shining light in patients’ lives ‘Palliative care is the best type of care that can be provided to people in this world who are suffering with life-limiting diseases or who are terminally ill. I feel blessed to be a part of this service provided by Chinchpada Christian Hospital (CCH).’ Daniel Kautikkar Family members learn from for him after our regular visits and the palliative care team how to counselling. Such moments bring So writes Daniel Kautikkar, care for their relative and access great joy to us. Program Coordinator and Medical benefits. When their loved one Social Worker in Palliative Care at dies, we don’t abandon the family, Coming to Chinchpada has CCH over the last 7 years. but provide counselling and increased my eagerness to work support as they grieve their loss. among this tribal community ‘We work in areas where people There are many challenges that that God cares for. When I see all don’t understand what palliative come our way, but it’s all worth it the brokenness around me, I feel care is, and even awareness of when we see patients smile, even that I am in the right place. basic healthcare services is very at such a difficult time. When we We are thankful to God for allowing limited. This is a poor tribal area see something positive happening us to be part of our people’s of India where it is difficult to live in a hopeless situation, it gives us a suffering, helping to mitigate a normal life, and if you live with tremendous sense of achievement. misery and sickness in these an incurable disease, it greatly For example, when a wife who did underserved areas. We are thankful increases the burden. not take care of her terminally ill for MAI too: without your support husband because of how he had and prayers, we would not be able treated her in the past starts caring to do what we are doing today.’ ‘Without your support and prayers, we would not be able to do what we are doing today’ Our team reaches out to those struggling with health-related suffering, listens and helps them. During our home visits, patients receive invaluable medical and nursing care, along with psychosocial and spiritual support. In the last year CCH’s palliative care service has helped: 198 199 283 152 50 people with people with people alcoholics people with end-of-life care sickle cell disease with TB to detox a disability 8 Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights

Protecting patients, saving lives Thank you to those who gave to our appeal for a much needed isolation ward at CCH. Over 1000 guests came to its inauguration in December 2022, showing its importance to the local community. With the rates of infectious TB sky high, the isolation ward is an essential addition to healthcare provision in a district with a population of 500,000. It has transformed the care that CCH can provide to the ever-growing number of patients drawn to the hospital by its reputation for excellent and affordable healthcare. It will be saving patients’ lives for many years to come. Martha Primary Health Care Centre – Yei – South Sudan Every time I come here, I am treated well Life has not been easy for the people of South Sudan since they won their independence from Sudan in 2011. South Sudan is the poorest years treatment, control and one of those patients. She was country in the world with four out preventive measures have been rushed to the health centre by her of five South Sudanese living in more difficult to implement. This mother Susan after falling into a extreme poverty. This is due to a has led to the disease being one of coma. Susan chose Martha PHCC severely weakened economy after the top causes of child mortality. because she knew Joy would get several years of civil war. A period Martha PHCC has built a good kind and efficient treatment of hyperinflation led to spiralling reputation for successfully caring quickly. Joy has fully recovered costs for Martha Primary Health for malaria patients. They treated and is healthy once more. Care Centre (Martha PHCC). MAI over 7,000 cases of malaria in support has reduced the burden 2022 alone. ‘Every time I come here, I am of increased overheads to help treated well,’ Susan says. ‘Thank the health centre continue to give A five-year-old girl called Joy was you for supporting this clinic.’ their patients, struggling with poor health and increasing poverty, access to affordable healthcare. One of the biggest health challenges facing the country and the community that Martha PHCC serves is malaria. Over recent Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights 9

How you can help Thank you to everyone who has invested time, money and prayers over the last year If you would like to join us in showing unconditional love to some of the world’s poorest patients, you can do so by: Starting a regular gift Staying informed Your donation will help bring health and hope in the Sign up to get the latest news hardest times, month-in, month out. You can set up and stories on how your support a regular donation at medicassistinternational. makes a difference. Go to the org/donate or by online transfer to Medic Assist Get Involved section at International (account number: 00018761, medicassistinternational.org sort code: 40-52-40) and click on Subscribe. Partnering with MAI Leaving a legacy of hope Your church, school, club, or organisation could Remember MAI in your will and champion, pray, and fundraise for a specific make a lifetime of difference to MAI partner’s project. generations to come. Volunteering Are you a Christian medic? Want to inspire your church to get behind MAI? Get in touch to explore ways to volunteer. To volunteer, partner with MAI or leave a legacy email [email protected] for more information. 10 Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights

Challenge 20 MAI has been bringing health and hope to some improve the health of people in desperate of the world’s poorest communities since 2003. need. The money you raise will make a real life-changing difference to many and will We’re inviting you to celebrate our 20th be enormously appreciated. anniversary by organising a Challenge 20 sponsored or fundraising event. To register your Challenge 20 fundraising event and receive your MAI Fundraising It’s a great opportunity to have fun with friends, Pack, please email: family or work colleagues and raise vital funds to [email protected] Your support is needed more than ever All our partners are seeing an partners are responding the best so they can continue to serve increase in the number of patients they can by continuing to provide their communities. The challenge living in extreme poverty. The quality affordable healthcare, remains great, but together we Covid pandemic, climate change, despite the increased costs they can continue to bring health, and cost of living crisis has driven are facing. The added financial hope, and comfort to many. many families deeper into poverty pressure on them means our or there for the first time. Our support is needed more than ever Got a question? Get in touch – it would be great to hear from you 11 e: [email protected] t: 07482 925431 Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights

‘All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor’ Galations 2:10 Medic Assist International PO Box 1626, Oxford OX4 9NF [email protected] T: 07482 925431 www.medicassistinternational.org Medic Assist International is a Registered Charity: 1104760 12 Annual Review 2022 -23 highlights