WILLS POINT, TX – With World Malaria Day approaching on April 25, the Missions Box News staff decided it is an opportune time to draw attention to the medical camps in South Asia, especially those conducted by Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers.

Here are 10 things you should know about the need for and the impact of medical camps in the rural regions of South Asia.

1. More than 23,000 people die every day in South Asia. More than 26 percent die due to a lack of access to medical care. That’s 2.2 million people per year who die because of a lack of access to medical care.
2. The chief reasons these people are unable to avail themselves of medical services are that they live very far from the nearest medical facility, and/or they cannot afford to pay for health care services for themselves or their children.
3. The primary mode of transportation for impoverished, rural people is what we used to call “shoe leather express.” In one case, a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported pastor indicated that the nearest clinic from his village is 12 miles away—a short drive, but a very long walk. The nearest hospital is 40 miles.
4. The impoverished live at a subsistence level so severe that the burden of paying for medications and medical attention can drive them even deeper into poverty. According to a 2017 report from the World Health Organization, poor patients are often plunged further into poverty by seeking medical attention.
5. The only way to reach 2.2 million in need of health care is one person at a time.
6. Medical camps are the most practical means of providing medical care for impoverished people living in remote villages.
7. Many government agencies, NGOs and FBOs conduct medical camps for the residents of remote rural villages.
8. Visits to medical camps sponsored by Gospel for Asia (GFA) and other faith-based organizations are FREE of charge to anyone who wishes to visit them.
9. Gospel for Asia-supported workers organized 1,245 medical camps in 2017 and 1,132 camps in 2018, treating between 200 to 1,000 patients at each FREE of charge.
10. Assuming an average of 300 people per camp, Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers have been able to provide life-changing health care for more than 700,000 patient-visits over the past two years.

While the extent of this ministry is obvious, the impact may be immeasurable. Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported medical camps are organized in places where people live and provide the medical services freely as a demonstration of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Often, the people are so amazed by this great grace that they begin to ask questions about Jesus, read the Bible and find spiritual healing. For many, visiting a Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported medical camp can be the first step toward a new life in Christ.

Pray for the continued success of Gospel for Asia-supported medical camps.

Learn how you can help to continue this important ministry.

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