THE POWER OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS JOINT MEDICAL MISSION WITH FAITHCARE

During the past two and a half years, we have not been able to hold our annual intensive medical missions at our full-time clinics. First came the Covid epidemic and then security concerns arising from an increase in kidnapping, banditry, ethnic/ religious/political tensions and violence. All of our clinics in the north of Nigeria have become “no go” areas for our large-scale outreach efforts that have been so effective and fruitful in the past.

Our three-way partnership: St. Thomas Clinic, FaithCare and Kateri Medical Services

However, our only clinic in southern Nigeria, St. Thomas Clinic in Port Harcourt, reported that security issues had improved and that it was safe to hold an outreach there. So, we requested a joint medical mission with our friends at FaithCare. FaithCare is now based in Pennsylvania and has a very active chapter in Nigeria. We have worked in partnership on many medical missions over the past fifteen years and were anxious to seek their help in this venture.

FaithCare surgical team

We hosted a joint Kateri Medical Services/ FaithCare outreach from May 30 to June 3. FaithCare brought a team of 15 surgeons and surgical nurses from Abuja. St. Thomas Clinic provided the venue, their own medical staff and local volunteers for the outreach. Kateri Medical Services provided funding for the drugs and other medical supplies as well as transportation and accommodation costs for the FaithCare team. 

Caption:​Surgeries during the joint Kateri/FaithCare outreach from May 30-June 3

The result of this three-way partnership was a highly impactful medical outreach. The FaithCare surgical team worked long hours every day to provide 98 critical surgeries, including hysterectomies, myomectomies, ovarian cystectomies, thyroidectomies, hydrocoeles and undescended testicles.

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Seeing the photos shown above, a friend (who is also a doctor) said this: “I rejoice with all of those who received quality, life-changing surgeries and medical care at this outreach. The skillful removal of uterine fibroids could mean the end to monthly blood loss and chronic anemia; it can mean freedom from pain; it could mean ability to conceive a child finally; and it could mean any combination of these. I thank God for everyone who truly felt the love of Jesus and those who opened their hearts to Him at this outreach.”

While the FaithCare surgical team worked at the St. Thomas Clinic, local staff of the clinic and volunteers
worked at a different venue to provide general medicine, lab tests, eye care, and dental care. Unfortunately, our American Kateri Medical Services team members could not join this mission as originally planned due to last-minute security concerns. However, our Nigerian board member, nurse Helen Victor was able to be there to help with the effort. She served as the overseer for the triage team at the second location.

Pictured are St. Thomas Clinic staff and triage teams working with volunteers

“This whole medical mission was really wonderful. Everyone worked together in a spirit of unity and service to Jesus and to our fellow human beings. I was so blessed to see many of these indigenous women and children, who could never afford to pay to have these surgeries, receive life- saving and life-changing medical care. It really is the miraculous hand of God at work through these medical team.”

Kateri Medical Services Board Member, Nurse Helen Victor

“This was the most impactful outreach we have ever had at St. Thomas Clinic, due to the great efforts of Dr. Monday Yikuldi and the FaithCare team. They provided a depth of surgical expertise that we could never provide here with our regular clinic staff. We are so grateful for the servant hearts of the FaithCare surgical team.” ​

Dr. Olanyi Olaobaju, Medical Director of St. Thomas Clinic

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Outreach Summary

1,262 patients served
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• 98 surgeries
• 244 received eye care
• 88 received dental care
• 171 received lab tests
• 669 received spiritual counseling
• 48 patients made a commitment to receive and follow Jesus

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