An overview of a HIMM clinic:

Clinic Description
HIM teams are generally made up of primary care physicians, nurses, and non-medical lay people for evangelism and support. We operate in remote locations and do not require electricity other than for lights/fans if working after sunset. Most clinics are located in church buildings, existing health care facilities, or even local homes.

In hot climates, we often will work outside. Team members work in the following stations: registration, vital signs, exam area/minor surgery, vision screening, pharmacy and evangelism stations. Translators are needed in registration to record the patient’s name, age, chief complaint, allergies and any other pertinent information. Nurses will take vital signs when necessary (patients with fever, history of hypertension, etc.). The physicians examine the patients; determine medication or minor surgery needs, record medication prescriptions on the paper from registration, then send the patient to the pharmacy. Patients can also receive vision screening to receive sunglasses or reading glasses. In addition, our evangelism team members can often pray with the patients, or share scripture with the patients

The beehive of the operation is the partnership that HIMM has with the Ghana government to issue/renew medical insurance cards for people to see primary care, obgyn, and medication resources. These insurance cards guarantee that medical support is provided for at least one year after we leave. Last year, we issued out over 1300 insurance cards which are a cost of approx 6 US dollars per insurance card.

Our teams frequently sleep in one location, then travel each day to a “clinic” site. We try to have team members to be reasonably comfortable with a bed and mattress, shower or bath facilities, and a toilet and air conditioning.