CME Annual Report 2007 - February, 2008

The full report is an extensive 16 page document, with several tables, so a summary in English is given here. These reports were presented to the annual meeting of the CME General Assembly in March 2008 at Nyankunde, north - east DRC.

The Executive Director, Dr Philip Wood writes that the General Assembly in March 2006 took the courageous decision to relaunch the Centre Medical Evangelique on three sites to permit clear long-term development. The role of Executive Director will therefore be less important, and the direction given by the Directors of the Bunia, Nyankunde and Beni clinics will have greater importance. His role will be to ensure a united approach, maintain external relationships, encourage collaboration between the sites, and uphold standards of physical and spiritual care. Currently there are difficulties in interdepartmental working, including in finance.

He is very pleased with the visits of General Assembly members to the three sites. There are several difficult decisions to make. These include changing the organisation's internal rules, appointing a new director, centralising the management team, sharing responsibilities more equally between the leadership, integrating different projects more fully, managing financial loss in self-funding projects, the possible amalgamation of the CME University and the University of Bunia, and maintaining DRC government standards in the CME hospitals so that they are neither overly large or employ too many staff.

Dr Wood further adds that his staff is there to care for the whole person, and to train good clinical staff, and he thanks all who have helped accomplish this. Finance is a challenge in pursuit of these goals, and he is thankful to Mr Rona for setting out well detailed accounts. Despite some teaching on finance there is much to learn, including the information and tools for auditing.

He thanks all those who have supported the Hospital in the last year, including the local Church leadership for their advice and prayers, and overseas friends, including the Friends of CME Trust in England, and others. He is happy that this meeting is taking place in Nyankunde, the first since 2001, and praises God for the peace in North-East Congo.

Summary table of statistics:

	No. of beds	Personnel	Consultations	In-patients	Operations
Beni	77	69	7,571	3,868	2,972
Bunia	40	46	6,858	1,404	384
Nyankunde	80	111	42,074	3,932	274

Nyankunde

Dr Mike Upio Nzeni reports on the work in Nyankunde. He thanks God for His help, and the support of friends who visited this year. The security situation is better, and there have been no incidents. The military are positive with people. There has been a consequent massive population return with normal activities resuming, including agriculture, house building, and the market and shops. Nyankunde region has a population of 81 000, and Nyankunde itself 8 100.

Throughout the area 111 clinicians (detailed in the original table) have worked, but there has been a high staff turnover. Vaccination and antimalarial programmes are detailed. Over 20,000 were treated for malaria of whom 9 died. Women's work has included making clothes and distributing food. Thanks to external help buildings have been rebuilt. The hospital now has 80 beds. A 5-year plan is now in place to improve standards, including the return of the IEM Nursing School to Nyankunde during 2008.

Bunia

Dr Kakalo reports on the Clinic in Bunia, a 40-bedded facility, and thanks the Lord for sustaining them during the year despite the difficulties faced. These include the transport of patients and personnel, prompt salary payment, managing medicines and laboratory materials, and administrative matters with the Government. The clinic has 46 staff, of which 5 are doctors. A pharmacist has been welcomed to the team. There have been donations from abroad, which have helped provide medication and aid to the poor in particular. Statistics for the clinic activities are given - as summarised in the table above. Facilities will be improved when the Clinic moves shortly to new hospital accommodation.

Beni

Mr Kakule-Nzumbuko nad Dr Mwembo-Kikudi report on the Clinic in Beni, a 77-bedded facility. There are over 60 staff and many trainees. Extensive activity tables are presented as summarized in the table above and also showing 95% bed occupancy during the year. The spiritual work also continues, seeing some miraculous healing. Integration into the Government's hospital network is taking place. It is hoped to buy new X-ray and computer equipment. Building work, including an operating room, is underway. Despite difficulties we thank the Lord for the work progressing well. Pharmacy

The Pharmacy director, Katsunga Kasinziro, thanks God for peace, the rebuilding, and support of many sponsors. He has six staff, but insufficient space to allow safe practice. A new building is required, which would allow the development of a regional centre for North-Eastern Congo.

Chaplaincy

The Head Chaplain, Kasereka Tsongo, thanks God for the work He has made possible, and for the comfort a pastor's family received after their daughter died. In 2007 the goal has been to teach and remember the vision, mission, faith, and aims in the CME's constitution. Others have noted that the spiritual work is bearing fruit, and statistics are given to demonstrate the work. The work plan for 2008 prioritises evangelism, prayer, reflection, and training. It is also hoped to create an office and library for the chaplains.

ISTM -CME University

The ISTM's (Higher Institute for Medical Technicians) General Director, Ahuka Ona, thanks God for the work achieved, including the reunification of the two educational streams (one in Oicha), now all located in Bunia. The student numbers are given in the relevant tables, showing a pass rate of approximately 70%, under 19 members of staff. Pastoral training has been introduced to the Institute. Plans to provide postgraduate training for those newly qualified have been compromised by funding difficulties. Spiritual activities strengthen all aspects of the training. Building work is being undertaken, but a roof collapse is likely to raise costs further. The Institute would benefit from a further classroom. Negotiations are ongoing with Bunia University to integrate the ISTM. More physical resources are needed including a vehicle and motorbike, books, printing works, and laboratory equipment.

Dr Wood states that no report from the IEM Nursing was received. The IEM has had challenges for many years, and financial problems have further worsened. Solutions need to be found. In conclusion, he again thanks God, the staff, and supporters.

Friends of CME Trust thank Dr. Gary Wannan for his help in translating this report from the original.