Memorial Christian
Hospital
Bangladesh, Asia
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Memorial Christian Hospital (MCH), also known as Malumghat Hospital Project, was founded in 1966 by legendary surgeon Viggo Olsen. Located in the village of Malumghat near the city of Chittagong, southeast of the capital city Dhaka, the hospital has grown significantly over the decades. Bangladesh, a sub-tropical country characterized by many rivers and small ponds, lies on the great river deltas that flow south to the Bay of Bengal. The climate is hot and humid from March to October, with monsoon rains beginning in June and lasting until October, often causing catastrophic floods. The winter season from November through February is cool and pleasant, Today, MCH is a 120-bed hospital offering general medical, surgical, and obstetrical care, along with a newborn nursery. It has strong departments in physiotherapy, prosthetics, and community health, as well as the Memorial Christian College of Health Sciences, which prepares national healthcare providers. The hospital includes fully equipped X-ray and laboratory departments, an outpatient department, physiotherapy, brace and limb departments, pharmacy, labor and delivery, newborn care nursery, male and female wards, and two surgical theaters. In a recent six-month period, MCH treated 33,021 outpatients, 3,327 inpatients, delivered 691 babies, and performed 231 C-sections and 1,136 additional surgeries.
Technology & Capacity:
MCH supports a clinical laboratory, a fully equipped pathology department, X-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, pharmacy, and physiotherapy services. The hospital also has departments for prosthetics and brace manufacturing, offering services like the Jaipur Foot for amputees and holding regular physical rehabilitation camps.
Church and Governance:
The hospital's logistic support is provided by the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. MCH integrates its medical mission with spiritual outreach, ensuring that every patient hears the gospel.
Training Opportunities:
The Memorial Christian College of Health Sciences (MCCHS) was established in 2003 and offers a three-year program to train paramedics, surgical technicians, nurse aides, electro-medical technicians, laboratory technicians, and community health workers. American physicians and nurse practitioners are part of the staff, along with at least one Bengali physician. The hospital regularly receives healthcare profession students and resident physicians from North America, offering a strong teaching environment.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Family Medicine
Thoracic Surgery
Infectious Diseases
Nurse Practitioners
General Medical and Surgical Support Staff
Language:
Bangla (Bengali) is the official language, with English spoken by officials and higher-educated persons. Translation services are available for non-English speaking patients.
Housing & Food:
A guesthouse is available on-site with amenities including air conditioning, running water, and electricity. Housekeeping is provided, and meals are prepared for students and visitors. Visitors should be prepared to purchase and prepare their own meals.
Travel:
Visitors can enter Bangladesh by flying into Chittagong or Dhaka, with a preference for direct flights to Chittagong. A representative will meet visitors at the airport and arrange for the drive to Malumghat.
Time Difference:
Bangladesh operates on Bangladesh Standard Time (BST), which is UTC+6.
People and Local Religion:
The majority of the population served by MCH are rural villagers, primarily farmers. The population is primarily Muslim, with a smaller portion practicing Hinduism and Christianity.
Climate:
Bangladesh has a hot and humid climate from March to October, with monsoon rains from June to October, and a cool, pleasant winter season from November to February.
Unique Challenges:
Common diagnoses include malaria, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tropical diseases, and diabetes, with a significant need for improved health education and medical services. The hospital addresses these challenges through comprehensive medical care and community health education.
Evangelism Opportunities:
MCH ensures that every patient hears the gospel, with the hospital serving as a spiritual haven in addition to providing medical care. It hosts both long-term and short-term medical mission trips for doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, needing both prayer and financial partners to continue its mission.
For further details, visit the Memorial Christian Hospital website.