Message: 2011 to date

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Message2011

IHDN President's Message: Winter Mission Trip 2011

As you are aware, my trip to Ghana, which was originally scheduled for late January had to be postponed to early March because of June's Dad funeral. God willing I will be leaving for Ghana from March 4-13 with Sarah, who will be on Spring break and coming to help on this trip.  The body at Hope Church will be praying for us on this trip this weekend. Please join us as we pray for the trip. There are 3 main goals of the trip. These are:

• To encourage, motivate and affirm the over worked and underpaid Ghanaian IHDN Mission Hospital Staff.  I will review present procedures and practices in the various departments and help them improve on operations and attain maximum efficiencies.  
• To mobilize human and material resources and support from individuals, private organizations, churches and government to help with our work in Ghana. This includes, but not limited, to a visit to the EP Church headquarters to meet the Moderator at Ho and pursuing our application for CHAG (Christian Hospital Association Membership).  Being a member of CHAG will give us the opportunity to receive government support, including paying for doctor's salary and help with staff recruitment.
• To initiate the processes needed to start the building of a canteen/cafeteria and also the inpatient ward.  Presently, both patients and non-patients do not have any facility near-by where they can go and buy food.  We do not allow food hawkers on the hospital compound because of sanitary reasons.  The absence of food vendors and no facility to eat, while waiting to be seen by the doctor, have created problems for our image.  I learned that some folks have gone on the radio and complained about IHDN Hospital because of this situation.  While I do not believe our image has been severely damaged, we need to act immediately to try and solve this problem.  
  
  We also have a situation where the exam rooms are being used to admit patients, including patients with hypertensive crises.   We need to act immediately to preserve and protect our reputation in the community.  People trust IHDN Mission Hospital but they expect the basics to be available, may be because we are supposed to have American links.

Mr. Dennis Albanese and his sister Lily, have drafted some building plans which were sent to Ghana for the Ghanaian architect, Mr. Dagadu to work with.  I will go to the Diamond cement factory at Aflao, buy cement at today's price to be used for our buildings.  We will also make arrangements for the  purchase of iron rods (rebars) and start buying gravel & sand for the future building projects.  I am hoping that my presence will facilitate a timely approval of building plans by the Ketu North District Administration.   I am told that IHDN Ghana is organizing a fund raising program, with my presence, to help raise some money in support for these projects.  In the future, I am hoping and praying that we can recruit volunteers from the US to go and jump start whatever building project that is going on. Please pray specifically for us as we make the trip. Pray for good health, traveling mercies and God's grace, wisdom and guidance as we seek to pursue these goals. Pray that the Ghanaian staff will not be discouraged in the present situation. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will provide all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Pray for the people we are seeking to reach through healthcare. Pray that IHDN will continue to be a source of blessing to these villages for His glory.  Pray for the rest of the family being left behind. Thank for being a partner on this journey. Regards and God bless.

Dr. Edem S. Agamah
President, IHDN
Email: ihdn@aol.com