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Emmanuel Health Center

Prior to its existence – the Emmanuel Health Center – there were no medical facilities within the 40-50 mile radius of the villages it serves. Good things are happening in this place through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic.

Dr. Christa von Oertzen, the medical director of the Emmanuel Health Center, wrote to us recently sharing a report of the health care activity for January-February-March 2012. The parenthetical numbers are from October-November-December 2011.

  • Outpatient Care : 1543 (1,711) over the age of 5 years; 471 (1,013) children under 5 years
  • Prenatal care : 498 pregnant women  (367)
  • Deliveries : 63 (68)
  • Family Planning : 50 women (25), including 18 long term contraception
  • Inpatient Care : 309 (297), 1,467 (1,226) days in the hospital
  • Surgical Procedures : 57 (57) major; 37 (48) minor
  • Laboratory Examinations : 3,527 (2,666)
  • Blood Transfusions : 15 (26)
  • Echocardiograph : 88 (39)
  • Malnutrition/Feeding Program : 537 (477) children checked;42 (111) found to be malnourished
  • Tetanus Immunizations : 991 (892) vaccines to children;81 (145) vaccines to pregnant women [the tetanus vaccine is currently not available in C.A.R.]
  • Health Care Education : 41 (34) presentations with3,852 (3,785) people attending

The first three months of the calendar year are part of the dry-season in C.A.R. so there are fewer cases of malaria, especially among children, as well as other ailments and adversities. While more pregnant women are seeking prenatal care many are still choosing to deliver the baby with a midwife at home. Time and positive reinforcement will help to change the cultural traditions.

Please pray with us that the German mission, which supplies the medical doctor to manage the clinic, will be able to find the right candidate to follow Dr. Christa whose term ends soon.

Posted April 16, 2012

This video, which tells the story of the new Emmanuel Health Center, was produced by Bruce Sundeen, who traveled to the Central African Republic for the dedication of the Emmanuel Health Center in January 2010. Contact us for more information or if you would like a copy of the video to share with your congregation or group.