wfn.org | Taiwan's Pingtung Christian Hospital enters Malawi

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Partnership
Taiwan Church News 2648, December 1, 2002
Reported by Li Yi-shin.  Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   Though Taiwan is diplomatically isolated in terms of formal
international ties, the nation takes advantage of abundant
opportunities for "people to people" diplomacy.  Ms. Ngo
Siok-chu, wife of President Chen Shui-bian, though confined to a
wheelchair, has gone to several countries for informal talks.
Grassroots level organizations and professional associations,
like LifeLine International, keep the nation's name recognition
at a high level.  Pingtung Christian Hospital (PCH), affiliated
with Taiwans Lutheran Church, recently received a government
appointment to carry out formal partnership with Mzuzu Hospital
in Malawi.
   Malawi is one of the 8 poorest nations in the world. Its
poverty hinders development and drags the nation further from
breaking free.	In recent years a drought has caused famine and
degraded living standards and conditions.  This has exacerbated
medical problems.
   In July Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs entrusted PCH
with the supervision of its aid program to Mzuzu.  The program
includes skill transfer and raising the level of clinical
services.  Even at a time of economic deterioration, the
Taiwanese hospital hopes to improve conditions.  As a Christian
Hospital, it hopes that the Malawians can feel the love of
Christ.
   Dr. Yen Jian Mei-chu, PCH vice superintendent, said, "Mzuzu
hospital was set up with aid from Taiwan's government.	It is a
fruit of this nation's foreign aid program.  It was originally
staffed through the Malaiwan medical system.  In recent years
there have been difficulties in obtaining local staff.	That's
why our government contacted PCH."
   She added, "The appointment may have come because PCH already
has extensive overseas contacts.  The contract is for two years
of technology and skill transfer.  We expect to send staff with
high level English language skills, clinical and research
experience. Staff, more than equipment or supplies, is the most
important thing we can send."
   PCH has already sent ten staff members to Mzuzu.  They found
that the medical, social and economic conditions have seriously
effected the health of the population.	Hospital beds are often
full. Tuberculosis, malaria and Aids are serious problems.
Medical personnel have come to see their efforts as futile.
   PCH hopes church members and ministers will offer themselves
to join its work in Malawi.  Ms. Yen explained, "In our official
capacity as a contractor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we
cannot act as evangelists, but we welcome clergy to accompany us
in a voluntary capacity to give pastoral care and increase the
strength of what we can offer.

For more information: Pingtung Christian Hospital: TEL	+886 8
737 3515

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw