Yesterday we hosted 200+ people at the grand opening of the clinic, Akisyon a Yesu Presbyterian Clinic (AYPC)! Although we moved to the new location a few months ago, there were still many final details to complete, and celebrating with the community was the last!
We were blessed to have a variety of people in attendance: district and government officials, employees, influential people in the community, church members, teammates from Mbale, old friends from Kampala, members of a medical bureau, and local community members. We were treated to speeches, a reminder of why we’re here to do this work, a declaration of the gospel and of course, food. Can’t tell you how glad I was that we found a caterer to handle all of the food preparations!
AYPC began with the mission in Karamoja in 2001. It was initially intended as a moveable clinic. They used four shipping containers for exam rooms, pharmacy and storage. We had since added on more exam rooms, a waiting area and housing for staff. However, the old building was falling apart around us and the demand was quickly outstripping our capacity. We are so thankful that the Lord provided the resources to complete a new building. AYPC sees on average 1,000 patients per month. This is over 10% of all the patients seen in our entire district. In October 2017, AYPC clinicians saw over 1,400 patients! Not to mention the vaccines given to pregnant mothers and infants, and the health teaching done in the villages. We employ 24 African staff from guard to clinical officer.
Praise the Lord for His ongoing work through their hands! We pray that the clinic will continue to adorn the gospel enabling us to show Christ’s love in unique and very applicable ways. May His kingdom increase through this work!