The Kunhar Christian Hospital is situated very close to the epicentre. It is the only standing hospital in the area. 5 other hospitals collapsed and the staff fled. Dr Haroon and his staff have continued their work and much more.Haroon and Miriam were outside when the earthquake hit, she was on the roof and he was on the steps below ‘I thought the second coming had taken place – said Miriam ‘And one on the roof was taken and the other left behind !’ Haroon quipped.
Whilst they have been in the Region for 17 years, more recently, following the death of a mother in childbirth, there has been local opposition, stirred up by the husband. It became quite nasty. However the situation has changed since the earthquake, in that more local people have seen the dedication and experienced the work of the hospital first hand. Dr Haroon has also been able to arrange for new wells to be dug in some of the areas of strongest opposition. Thus blessing those who have persecuted them.
CMS has supported the work over the years through small grants and occasional personnel. Dr Jane Samson a sprightly septuagenarian, Veronica Bhatti a nurse from Scotland and Rachel Smith, another nurse on a medical elective. More recently Bilquis Din, a Pakistani nurse form Coventry, has gone out to help with the earthquake relief.
Since the earthquake, a number of volunteers have been able to support Dr Haroon’s work, albeit short term people, plugging the gap. Dr. Christine, a paediatrician from Germany has been at Kunhar for a year. Dr Jean Orr from Edinburgh, now 82 and a long-time supporter of Kunhar. We met two short-term German nurses. A couple from Canada were helping with administration and keeping email traffic at bay. Pakistani nursing staff seconded from other hospitals in Sialkot. David from Scotland, previously the Murree Christian School carpentry teacher, now working for Brass Tacks in Liverpool has been involved in testing various structures for suitability - the most successful being a prefab building which will be used for nurses accommodation. Brass Tacks flew in a structural engineer who did a report on the damage to the hospital building. He estimates the costs of repair work at £150,000.
The hospital is desperate for other staff, particularly a hospital administrator. Presently administration work is piecemeal. In addition to putting this right a good administrator will make it possible to move the work of Kunhar on to a new stage of ministry with local clinics, well digging and other appropriate outreach.
Dr Haroon too sees the need for good communication – he feels there has been enough talk and now is the time for decisive action. He points out, “People think relief is done by outsiders. We are locals doing relief. But we are also victims of the quake, so we need assistance and partnership on two fronts.”
Dr Haroon Lal Din’s work is most impressive. It is a registered voluntary society, Akash, which has been in the region running a clinic for nearly 2 decades. It seems as if this has been ‘for such a time as this’. Christians in Pakistan are now seeing a vision for Northern Pakistan and the church is becoming mobilised is a way as never before. Dr Haroon is an inspirational figure and is feeding that vision.
God is our refuge and strength a very present help trouble Psalm 46
for more pics see www.picturetrail.com and type in kunharchristianhospital
Whilst they have been in the Region for 17 years, more recently, following the death of a mother in childbirth, there has been local opposition, stirred up by the husband. It became quite nasty. However the situation has changed since the earthquake, in that more local people have seen the dedication and experienced the work of the hospital first hand. Dr Haroon has also been able to arrange for new wells to be dug in some of the areas of strongest opposition. Thus blessing those who have persecuted them.
CMS has supported the work over the years through small grants and occasional personnel. Dr Jane Samson a sprightly septuagenarian, Veronica Bhatti a nurse from Scotland and Rachel Smith, another nurse on a medical elective. More recently Bilquis Din, a Pakistani nurse form Coventry, has gone out to help with the earthquake relief.
Since the earthquake, a number of volunteers have been able to support Dr Haroon’s work, albeit short term people, plugging the gap. Dr. Christine, a paediatrician from Germany has been at Kunhar for a year. Dr Jean Orr from Edinburgh, now 82 and a long-time supporter of Kunhar. We met two short-term German nurses. A couple from Canada were helping with administration and keeping email traffic at bay. Pakistani nursing staff seconded from other hospitals in Sialkot. David from Scotland, previously the Murree Christian School carpentry teacher, now working for Brass Tacks in Liverpool has been involved in testing various structures for suitability - the most successful being a prefab building which will be used for nurses accommodation. Brass Tacks flew in a structural engineer who did a report on the damage to the hospital building. He estimates the costs of repair work at £150,000.
The hospital is desperate for other staff, particularly a hospital administrator. Presently administration work is piecemeal. In addition to putting this right a good administrator will make it possible to move the work of Kunhar on to a new stage of ministry with local clinics, well digging and other appropriate outreach.
Dr Haroon too sees the need for good communication – he feels there has been enough talk and now is the time for decisive action. He points out, “People think relief is done by outsiders. We are locals doing relief. But we are also victims of the quake, so we need assistance and partnership on two fronts.”
Dr Haroon Lal Din’s work is most impressive. It is a registered voluntary society, Akash, which has been in the region running a clinic for nearly 2 decades. It seems as if this has been ‘for such a time as this’. Christians in Pakistan are now seeing a vision for Northern Pakistan and the church is becoming mobilised is a way as never before. Dr Haroon is an inspirational figure and is feeding that vision.
God is our refuge and strength a very present help trouble Psalm 46
for more pics see www.picturetrail.com and type in kunharchristianhospital
