Equipment needed to advance clinic
The Luke Society is raising funds to expand services at El Buen Pastor in Rafey, Dominican Republic.
Looking outside the window of our vehicle, Dr. Johny Belarme, Luke Society director of El Buen Pastor (The Good Shepherd) clinic in Rafey, Dominican Republic, explained once houses stood on these now-vacant plots of land. These homes were filled with Haitian families, fleeing violence in their homeland.
Today, only weeds, a few scattered cinder blocks and vegetation remain. The families have not only been deported by immigration officials, but their houses were looted and completely destroyed by immigration officials who acted with impunity.
The Dominican Republic government is no longer renewing visas for legal Haitian immigrants. This means many are now undocumented, putting them at risk for deportation and leaving them with few options.
Johny serves primarily Haitian immigrants in his clinic in a suburb of Santiago, along with his outreach to rural communities. The issues he faces on a daily basis are complex. Most Haitian immigrants are completely cut off from accessing the government-run health care. El Buen Pastor exists to fill this gap.
The Dominican Republic government requires all fully registered medical clinics to have laboratory, ultrasound and dental care services. Adding two basic lab machines would allow El Buen Pastor to perform dozens of essential blood tests on site, greatly improving its ability to quickly diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions.
Similarly, an ultrasound machine would enhance care for pregnant women and patients with undiagnosed abdominal pain and infections. A Christian dentist is ready to begin working — providing her own tools — but needs a dental chair and attached equipment to start. These services would also generate revenue, helping make the clinic more financially sustainable.
We invite you to join the Luke Society in supporting Johny’s ministry to the underserved by
helping El Buen Pastor acquire these basic, but vital additions. Your support of $30,000 can help Johny provide more comprehensive care to those who have already lost so much.
The Luke Society accepts a variety of forms of donation. If you would like to give online, you can do so by clicking here: Dominican Republic equipment.