Progress report

There are some positive and encouraging aspects of the situation at the hospital.  One is that the present staff salaries are being maintained from the income of the hospital. This shows that the patient numbers are keeping up. Additionally the staff has painted some parts of the main building.

Advertisements for new staff have been placed, but so far, I have not heard of any appointments being made. The expectations of the hospital seem to be highly positive in all the reports I have had up to now. I shall see the situation when I visit at the end of the year. However, there are some aspects, which give me, and others with whom I have discussed the situation, cause for concern. Some parts of the hospital buildings are very old and are not properly maintained.  This is due, in part, to the fact that the hospital was closed for three years when the previous doctor was killed in a road accident. To improve and maintain the property, some considerable amount of money will be needed.

One area in need of urgent attention is the eye ward, where the roof is leaking and the staff have to use umbrellas when walking along the ‘covered’ walkway.
The Diptipur locality and the people of the community are poor and needy, so there is little money in the area. Some building work that needs to be completed will take considerable finance. The vehicle that is used at present is old and unreliable and needs replacing. If two new doctors are appointed, their salaries will need to be covered for at least the first two years.

Diptipur Christian Hospital was well known as a famous eye hospital in the 80’s and 90’s. The exciting news is that an eye surgeon is interested in joining the hospital and the staff are grateful to God for this news. Please join them in prayer that he will be committed to take up the challenge to bring sight to the curable blind – of which there are many. There is also good news that financial help is to be given to the leaking roof and other renovation problems of the eye ward. The staff are certainly praising God for His goodness.