Mission

Established in 1987, Global Health Ministries (GHM) continues the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by enhancing health care programs of Lutheran churches in other countries. GHM funds health care projects, scholarships, support for charity patients, capital improvements, and development of apppropriate technology. GHM gathers and ships useful donated medical equipment and supplies to various countries, communicates the opportunity and needs to groups and congregations in the United States, recruits doctors, dentists, nurses and allied health care workers for overseas service through Lutheran mission boards, and advises mission boards, synods and other groups on health care mission issues.

Programs

GHM annually ships urgently needed medical equipment and supplies in sea containers to Lutheran and other Christian hospitals in countries such as Cameroon, Liberia, Papau New Guinea, and Tanzania. Volunteers gather usable equipment and supplies, check and repair equipment, catalogue donations, pack containers and ship as needed. GHM subsidizes clinics in remote areas that may never become self-supporting, but where no other health care facilities are available. Funds are given to local health care programs to provide care to those who are too poor to pay medical fees. GHM supports smaller projects, less than $50,000, which are not eligible for assistance elsewhere. GHM provides scholarships to educate medical doctors and nurses and improve the skills of medical staff. Support is also given for HIV testing and AIDS awareness programs in Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.