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Jeff Fullelove, the Chair of the SPM Board, along with his wife recently had the privilege of visiting the staff and students at RTC. Here is his reflection on their time there: The Rain Tree Clinic- A Beacon of Hope The Rain Tree Clinic (RTC) sits deep in the jungle, providing safe and life-saving medical care to rural and displaced families. Many patients travel for days. Quite simply, RTC is a lifeline for the entire region. RTC delivers hands-on medical and technical training while providing the region’s first surgical capabilities. With 24-hour access to care and emergency referral transport to Thailand, high-quality healthcare is delivered to thousands of patients each year. At any given time, more than 300 staff, students, patients, and families live and learn on campus. Through mentorship, discipline, and shared purpose, a new generation of medical professionals and leaders is being raised up for Karen State. While we were on campus, a heavily pregnant woman arrived after being in labour for five days. Along the way, she had sought help from various untrained “medical specialists.” By the time she reached RTC, she was barely alive, and tragically, her baby had already died. The RTC team was able to save the mother’s life, though nothing could be done for the baby. Without RTC, the mother would certainly have died as well. Though that loss was heartbreaking, many others were saved. We witnessed numerous surgeries and extraordinary care given to people who otherwise would have had no access to medical relief. Procedures included gallbladder removal, caesarean sections, thyroidectomies, laparotomies, amputations, complex fracture repairs, cancer biopsies, and many others too technical to name. We observed a remarkable system in which Physician Associate students manage much of the outpatient and inpatient care, supported by graduated PA clinicians and overseen by experienced nurses and doctors. Many of the surgeries are performed by advanced PA graduates specialising in surgery, under the guidance of resident doctors—a model built on trust, accountability, and excellence. Please pray for protection over all who are serving at the Rain Tree Clinic, as they faithfully do God’s work—preserving life, restoring dignity, and bringing hope in the darkest of places. “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40
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