Dear HealthServe Australia members, partners and friends,
Thank you for your great support as we start a new year as highly valued members and supporters of the HealthServe Australia team. Together, we can bring health, hope and wholeness to many. Health encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual health. This is the season of Easter, a season of resurrection, new hope, and celebration.
HSA is a Christian health and development agency accredited by The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
We at the HealthServe team want to thank you for your vision, support, and generosity during the early months of this new year. March is membership month. Together we can achieve our vision of Global health transformed by accessible, compassionate and high-quality health care for all. To become a member or for existing members who wish to pay their annual members’ fee please use the link below:
https://www.healthserve.org.au/membership/sign-up
HEALTH NEWS ZOOM Meetings
Last week in our monthly HSA Health news seminar, Dr John Oakley spoke of the encouraging and exciting progress on the distribution, improved access for the Papua New Guinea Community Health Worker manual. Watch or listen to the recording here.
In February we heard from Gerasa Bali leader Andy Prawira on this valued partner’s leadership in addressing the needs of marginalised women and children in the tourist setting of Bali. See this link to learn more of the Gerasa Bali program and to listen to the recording.
On Thursday April 21, we will run an HSA Learning Together Seminar on Preventing Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH). Please join with us and our partners as we seek to strengthen our knowledge and capacities in these important areas. Learn more here.
HSA EASTER 2022 APPEAL
This year continues to bring many challenges related to Covid, climate and Ukraine. Together as we receive support from our families, communities and partners we move forward.
HealthServe Australia is grateful for the opportunities and support to engage and partner in these challenges. Thank you to all people of good heart for joining us in responding with generosity, compassion and courage.
Our major appeal for Easter 2022 is the HSA Ukraine appeal. We invite all Australian community members to together join with us in supporting the people of Ukraine.
We are all deeply concerned and saddened by the recent and ongoing events in Ukraine, especially for the lives and wellbeing of the civilians on the ground who have been thrust into conflict.
The International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA) is in regular contact with doctors and dentists throughout the country through the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMA).
CMA is deeply committed to mitigating the effects of the conflict through caring for the wounded, displaced and homeless, offering protection and support to refugees and serving in frontline health facilities.
EMERGENCY APPEAL
Healthserve Australia, in conjunction with ICMDA and Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship of Australia (CMDFA), is conducting an appeal that will go toward resourcing and supporting Ukrainian Christian doctors through communications, medical supplies and other aid.
Our Ukrainian partners, Christian Medical Association of Ukraine, write:
“Our plans for now are to:
- increase the number of warehouses.
- improve our logistics to deliver more medical supplies to the hottest spots in Ukraine.
- build a stronger communication with media to highlight the work that we do.
It’s hard for us at CMA to express how grateful we are for the donations Healthserve Australia supporters have made. YOUR HELP SAVES LIVES!”
We invite all Australian community members to please give generously to support the people of Ukraine. Our challenge is to raise $125,000 by Easter 2022.
Remember All donations to this HSA appeal are tax deductible.
To Donate please go to https://www.healthserve.org.au/donate/fundraising-campaigns/ukraine-appeal
PRIME TEAMWORK in the PACIFIC
Another highlight of early 2022, is the ongoing work of our Partnerships in Medical Education (PRIME) teams working in Indonesia, and the wider Asia Pacific region under the leadership of Dr Owen Lewis and Dr Patrina Caldwell. Training of trainer sessions are successful as we continue to build capacities, strengthen partnerships and bring health, hope and wholeness.
THANKS TO THE TEAM
I would like to especially thank our board team led by chair, Dr Paul Mercer, for their leadership, commitment and support. I acknowledge the work of our dedicated executive team led by John (office manager) and Matt (media officer) now joined by Tamara (program officer). They are highly skilled and enthusiastic team members, further strengthening the capacity of HealthServe Australia.
We are developing a new HSA policy in Health and Creation Care and are well placed to gain registration as an entity that can provide tax deductibility for Australian based activities.
Our international program work continues to bring health, hope and wholeness to individuals, families and partner communities. We run over fifteen programs in eight countries.
I thank you for your practical support, prayers and partnership in helping your HealthServe Australia to continue to bring health, hope and wholeness to many.
May God bless you this Easter and Autumn season.
Michael Burke
Executive Officer
HealthServe Australia
