Centre Medico-Social Luc au Jourdain
N’Dali, Cameroon
Before he was even born, Dr. Martin Luther Djiche Osse’s father told the midwife that his child would be a doctor someday — more specifically, a surgeon.
That vision has played out with remarkable accuracy. Today, Dr. Osse is one of the most renowned cleft lip and palate surgeons in all of Benin.
His ministry, Centre Medico-Social Luc au Jourdain, had its humble beginnings in a rented building across the street from its current medical campus, now employing more than 40 workers. Besides general consultations, the wide array of medical services offered includes: obstetrics, ultrasounds, laboratory, general surgery, cleft surgery and hospitalization.
The ministry also visits 10 partner villages, offering community health education in disease prevention and Bible education.
"I’m happy to be a part of this vision," Osse said.
About 70 percent of the ministry's patients come from Muslim backgrounds, which provides excellent opportunities to exemplify Jesus’ love in action.
Name: Centre Medico-Social Luc au Jourdain
Location: N’Dali Benin
Director: Dr. Marin Luther Djiche Osse
Partnership: 2005-present
Staff: 36
Alumni PMT: Drs. Brent and Cindy Van Andel
About the ministry
About Benin
Population: 13.3 million
Size: 112,622 sq. km, or slightly smaller than Pennsylvania.
Capital: Porto-Novo
Borders: Togo to the West; Burkina Faso to the northwest; Niger to the north; Nigeria to the east; Atlantic Ocean to the south.
Religious groups: Muslim, 27.7%; Catholic, 25.5%; Protestant, 13.5; Vodoun, 11.6%.
Primary language: French
Literacy (age 15+): 42.4%
Physician density: 0.08 doctors per 1,000 people.
Population below international poverty line: 38.5%
Life expectancy: 61.8 years
Infant mortality rate: 57.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Major exports: Cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood.
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid in the south; semiarid in the north.
Terrain: Mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains.
