December 2007 Newsletter

Thanksgiving Celebration of LHCB’s 10th Anniversary 10 November 2007 Dumki, Patuakhali

Outside the LHCB hospital complex in Dumki there is an engraved marker commemorating the opening and dedication of the Maternal and Child Health Center on November 24, 1997.

On the morning of November 10, 2007, almost ten years later to the day, our group of 6 travelers along with members of the Board of Trustees of LHCB-Bangladesh, Reverend Joe Chu of the ELCA’s Global Mission and Pastor Dale Howard of Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina, Minnesota gathered together in Dumki with the staff and families of LHCB to celebrate with thanksgiving this decade of service of LHCB. Dr. Dawan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, shared his vision and hope that LHCB will continue to develop its resources, strive towards self sufficiency, and become a medical teaching center for southern Bangladesh. Dr. Diane Petersen, President of the Board of LHCB-USA, offered blessings and gratitude to the staff of LHCB for their dedication and compassion in serving the needs of the mothers, children and families who seek care at the hospital and in the villages. We celebrated in worship and prayer led by Reverend Chu and Pastor Howard. Mr. Bijoy Baroi, Executive Director of LHCB-Bangladesh, shared an emotional, heartfelt message of thanks for the support given by Global Mission and LHCB-USA, and his hope for the future of LHCB as it continues to grow to meet the needs of all those we serve. Many individuals were recognized for their service and dedication, including Dr. Subrata and Dr. Justine. And the thanksgiving ceremony concluded with a lively program of cultural songs and dance performed by members of the LHCB staff and families.

Cyclone Sidr and LHCB

On November 9, a disturbance developed in the Indian Ocean and as winds increased, it was designated Cyclonic Storm Sidr. The name Sidr is an Arabic name of a tree; and it is also derived from the Sinhalese language where it means “hole” or “eye”. By the morning of November 15, peak winds reached 155 mph as the storm surged northward up the Bay of Bengal and officially made landfall at 5 pm along the southern coast of Bangladesh and India. On November 15, thousands of emergency officials were alerted and massive evacuations of the low-lying coastal areas took place. It is estimated that about 2 million people in Bangladesh were evacuated to emergency shelters. The coastal areas experienced heavy rainfalls as the initial impact of the storm was felt. The damage in Bangladesh was extensive, including tin structures flattened, homes and schools blown away, and enormous trees and power lines downed. Some local officials have described the damage even worse than that from the cyclone in April 1991. Much of the capital city of Dhaka was also affected, as electricity and water service were cut and significant damage was reported due to winds and flooding. The local agricultural industry was also devastated, as much of the rice crop - which was ready for harvest in December- was lost to the storm. The difficulties faced by survivors are mounting as the scarcity of food, safe drinking water, oral saline, water purification tablets and medicine persists. The storm affected people in 30 of the 64 districts of the country, and they are now struggling to contain outbreaks of diarrhea, skin and other water-borne diseases. ELCA disaster response agencies are mobilizing aid to Bangladesh after the cyclone left millions homeless and killed more than 3,000 people. Disaster response organizations worldwide are attempting to provide survivors with basic necessities, including water, rice, medicine and shelter. Actions by Churches Together (ACT International) members in Bangladesh, including Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh, have begun emergency support for more than 35,500 people. Assistance includes rice, salt, oil, oral rehydration fluids and food. ELCA International Disaster Relief is sending $50,000 to ACT-International, of which $30,000 will be designated to LHCB. Members of the medical team traveling in Bangladesh at the time were very fortunate to be just ahead of Hurricane Sidr. The group had visited villages in Madaripur, one of the hardest hit districts, the afternoon before the storm made landfall. They had completed the last ferry crossing just an hour before it was closed. The team was safe in the guest house in Dhaka when the storm hit the capital leaving the entire city without power and reliable communications. Fortunately the guest house had emergency power with lights and running water for most of the day. There were times when the travelers “camped out” using flashlights and a bucket of water for washing. The airport was closed the night of the storm, but reopened the next day under its own emergency power. The group left the capital early Saturday morning on time. The grounds of the hospital and clinic suffered damage from downed trees and power lines. A few small buildings were destroyed. Clean-up began immediately the next morning. The Staff Housing Project for the doctors and nurses, fortunately, withstood the gale force winds. We have heard that 9 people were killed in the community near the hospital compound. As far as we know, all LHCB staff members and their families are safe. We are still waiting to hear of the fate of the villagers farther north in the Madaripur District where our community development programs are located. We know this district was one of the hardest hit areas with severe wind damage and flooding. Remember this storm comes on the heels of one of the worst monsoon seasons in recent memory. In the coming months, our hospital and staff will be stretched to the maximum as they care for the villagers who face starvation and disease from the loss of their homes, crops, livestock and clean water. Our hospital and mobile clinics will be inundated with patients needing medical attention, medications, food and water. LHCB-USA is seeking your help and support for these poor people of southern Bangladesh as they face rebuilding their homes, replanting their crops and reestablishing healthy living conditions. Your financial support is needed now more than ever to help meet the medical needs of these communities that have been hit twice this year by devastating storms and floods. By ensuring the financial health of the hospital and clinics for the rest of 2007 and into next year, LHCB will be able to restore hope and the promise of life to the people of southern Bangladesh.

What Our Supporters Are Saying

Stewardship includes having confidence that one’s gifts will be God-pleasing and will be used to advance God’s love and work in the world. When Siri and I learned about the opportunities presented by Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh-USA, and the responsible and committed Christians who are engaged in this work, our enthusiasm was immediate. LHCB-USA simply epitomizes what Christians are called to do. We are honored to be able to be part of it. Hans & Siri Quitmeyer Normandale Lutheran Church Edina, MN

When Tarun Daring, Director of LHCB Dumki, was asked how he would respond if asked by a patient why LHCB provides health care to the poor, he didn’t hesitate in answering, “Because I love you.”

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another," John 13:34

Our Mission

Through God’s grace and love, Lutheran Health Care Bangladesh brings hope and promise to the people of southern Bangladesh with a focus on maternal and child health care and community development programs.