Medical Services Beyond Compassion

Our medical team in Erbil started 2021 with diligence and  enthusiasm, full of hope that the Lord's guidance will enable us to bring His Mercy for many refugees and IDPs in Northern Iraq. The HOME clinic in Erbil expanded services to include a mental health clinic and counseling support to women at the camp. Mrs. Ezdihar, an Egyptian missionary with distinguished accreditation, a degree in counseling and psychological support, will be leading the clinic. We are truly privileged to have her on our team.

Iraq

H.O.M.E. was one of the few organizations allowed to build a clinic during the US war and is still there today fully functioning and houses a community center. Currently, H.O.M.E.'s clinic has been serving its patients faithfully with the love of God, despite the adverse violence that still threatens the country on a daily basis.

Grace Community Health Center

Background
In the midst of the war in Iraq in 2003, a member of H.O.M.E. and of the Grace Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio felt led to visit Iraq and further the Kingdom by starting a H.O.M.E. clinic that would unveil the saving love of Christ.  Once there, he was overjoyed to see the spiritual hunger, however, he also felt the suffering of the Iraqi people.  He was moved to share his vision with H.O.M.E. -- to take an active part in the Lord’s word in Baghdad through the establishment of healthcare services and community service.  When H.O.M.E. leadership heard about the vision for this ministry, they gladly welcomed the idea with open arms and hearts.  Shortly afterward, funds were raised and a building located in a Christian neighborhood in Baghdad was leased.  The H.O.M.E. clinic in Baghdad was established in 2005 and is sharing His love on a daily basis.

Staff/Activities
Two Iraqi physicians, an internist, and a dentist came to know the Lord through one of the spiritual outreaches held by the church, after which they indicated their desire to become a part of this newly unfolding ministry.  Currently, the staff consists of one dentist, two family medicine doctors, a secretary, and manager.  The Grace Community Health Center is open four hours a day, five times a week and offers medical services such as dentistry, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and a pharmacy.  In the waiting room, a TV continuously shows worship songs, spiritual sermons and other Christian resources as patients wait for their turn to be seen.  Around 3,000-4,000 patients are seen a year at a minimal cost, or sometimes at no cost. 

Beyond its medical services, Grace Community Health Center also offers food, clothing and shoe distributions, school supplies for students and outreach groups to the prison and homeless communities. There are also Bible studies offered at the Center, which fifteen to twenty people attend weekly.  

Future Plans
Grace Community Health Center hopes to expand its staff to include more full-time physicians, volunteer physicians, and nurse aides.  Plans are also underway to establish a laboratory and offer community computer classes at the Center.