wfn.org | ELCA Exec Visits Augusta Victoria Hospital

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>
ELCA NEWS SERVICE - NEWSBRIEF

December 4, 1997

AUGUSTA VICTORIA HOSPITAL

"I cannot think of another institution so tied to
daily political events," the Rev. Robert N. Bacher
said of Augusta Victoria Hospital on East
Jerusalem's Mount of Olives.  "Every time there is
a bombing, checkpoints are put up again.  This
restricts patients' access and the staff cannot
get through," he said.  Bacher, executive for
administration for the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America, serves on the board of the hospital.
He recently reported to the ELCA's Division for
Global Mission board on a recent visit.  "We
witnessed the opening of a new dialysis unit
for children and teens, a special niche service.
By noon only two of the six expected children had
arrived and the doctor was late.  All were held
up at checkpoints," Bacher said.  Augusta
Victoria, for 47 years under Lutheran World
Federation trusteeship, continues to be in serious
financial trouble, he said.  "A very good strong
management team is in place, Palestinians and one
American.  They are dealing with cost
containment," he said.  "In the long-range
picture, the hospital seeks to establish
partnerships with hospitals in the United States
and around the world. The dialysis unit is an
example of partnership with a hospital in Italy,"
Bacher said.  Augusta Victoria participates in a
"forum" of five hospitals in serving Palestinians
there, Bacher reported. "The institutions seek to
reinforce each other's strengths and fill in where
there are weaknesses in a coordinated effort," he
said.  From a medical perspective, the hospital
needs to be there.  It is committed to providing
quality care in East Jerusalem for those who can
and those who cannot afford it," Bacher said.
"There is the perspective of the church and the
question of what can be done by the church there.
The LWF made a commitment and has advanced
funding."

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or
NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html