Dr. Foster in the OR

CEML (Centro Evangelico de Medicina de Lubango)

The CEML is a new private 43 bed Hospital in Lubango, Angola, which is the regional capital of the Huila Province in southern Angola. Due to the 30 year civil war, it became apparent that a private hospital was necessary and that a location needed to be in a secure area capable of continuous re-supply. Lubango is the only city in southern Angola meeting these criteria. The Hospital was financed from donations from private parties, USAID and Samaritan's Purse. It opened in October 2006.

Dr. Foster's vision , and that of his father also a lifelong missionary surgeon in Africa, is to establish a stable central hospital with ready access to air transport, and then to develop a series of remote clinics in areas not readily accessible by vehicles. This will enable fistula patients needing care to be transported back to the CEML. This vision is now operating in its early stages, with the Mission Aviation Fellowship having committed to provide air transport and two such clinics now operating with nurses, and another awaiting aircraft landing consents from the government.

The grant support from the Fistula Foundation to the CEML will help provide surgery to approximately 75 women with fistula over the next year. The care involves locating patients, some at outlying clinics, providing transport, surgery housing, and nutritional assistance.

About Dr. Foster

Dr. Stephen Foster is the Hospital's Medical Director. Dr. Foster is a Canadian surgeon who was raised in Africa by missionary parents. He has spent over 30 years of his professional life in Angola. He was trained in Canada where he is a board certified specialist in General Surgery. Dr. Foster's vision , and that of his father also a lifelong missionary surgeon in Africa, is to establish a stable central hospital with ready access to air transport, and then to develop a series of remote clinics in areas not readily accessible by vehicles.