Mercy Fund, HEAL Africa

In stricken eastern Congo, HEAL Africa treats hundreds of patients every month with a wide variety of needs:-

• gunshot and rape victims from the fighting

• people with malaria or any of the other diseases endemic to that region

• people with AIDS

• children with club foot (a widespread condition and a speciality at this centre)

• older people in need of joint replacement.

Many women come for maternity care and help by the Safe Motherhood programme. Many are treated at the Goma hospital; many more by outreach teams across a vast area. Many need intensive or prolonged treatment.

For the vast majority of patients, HEAL Africa represents their only hope of care and a cure. Yet their medical ministry costs a vast amount of money. We are grateful to WorldShare supporters and the many other people and organisations who help.

A particular need right now is Heal Africa's 'Mercy Fund'. Patients who are able to do so are expected to pay something towards their own treatment costs. But many cannot – they have no resources. Many live from day to day only on what they can find to sell, or grow, or scavenge.

The Mercy Fund exists to fund the treatment of these needy people, so that the hospital’s funds are not rapidly exhausted by helping so many of the poorest.  HEAL Africa has no desire to see treatment restricted to only those who can pay, but to maintain this standard, we need your help. These people only come for treatment when they have no other alternative.

To treat a poor patient costs on average £250. Can you give £250 to help one of the neediest people on earth to get desperately-needed treatment? Could you give a regular gift by Standing Order to help patients through the year?

We will try to tell you the name of the patient you are helping, so you can pray for them.