God's Perfect Timing

I had the opportunity to go with the medical team to Worom’s Maternity Clinic and talk with the staff about how to create a revolving medical fund and to reserve the consultation fees for the staff salaries. Currently, much of their income has been dumped into car repairs in order to maintain their visits to the village outreach clinics, which are helpful but expensive and not sustainable. Staff morale was so low they were ready to close the entire clinic. We were able to discuss that stopping the mobile clinics will allow there to be enough resources to keep the main clinic open. Some of the health workers were resistant to this idea despite all the data seemingly pointing to this solution.

God’s perfect timing enabled Yusuf, the medical director at another village to come by the clinic right as we were at a stand-still and he shared his experience how they used to attempt to do mobile clinics but had to stop because of the great expense and minimal income generation. Therefore, they continue to provide effective and sustainable medical services at their main clinic. It was perfect! He stated that he had actually implemented the strategy that we had suggested and it had been successful! A Nigerian had now enthusiastically endorsed the plan without even knowing what we had just discussed. It was an important turning point of acceptance among the health workers. By the time we left for the day, the most reticent nurse was explaining the new plan to another worker for how to operate the clinic in order to be able to garner salaries after a few months after having gone for years without. There is hope for Worom Maternity Clinic.