When: July 17 - 27, 2013

Where: Abuj*, Nig*ria

Who: Primary Care Physicians, Family Practice, Pediatric, OB/GYN, Internal Med, Infectious Disease Specialists, Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, CRNA’s, OR Nurses, Scrub Techs, Dentists, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Nurses, and students in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and optometry are needed.

Status: Accepting Applications

Special Travel Announcement: Unless you are instructed by GHO or your team leader, do not book your own travel. Please email ghotravel@cmda.org prior to the ticket purchase if you want to use frequent flyer miles and/or want your number added to the ticket.

Project Fee:  $1,995 plus airfare and $15 per hour for up to 14 hours CME/CDE (if applicable)  Click here for more information on CME/CDE

Team Leader: Ken Nippert, CMDA Director in Memphis, will be leading this medical/dentaql trip. Ken led a team to Nigeria in 2011 for two weeks where nearly 5000 people were treated and over 200 surgeries were done. He also did a speaking tour in 13 cities all over Nigeria in 2006. Our host partners will be CMDA Nigeria.

To read Ken Nippert's Biography Click here.
 
Further Details: While GHO teams have been going to Nigeria for a number of years this is the first time we will partner with CMDA Nigeria, our national partners. Our host team has a vibrant ministry of both doctors and students around their country and they will provide surgeons, physicians, and dentists to work alongside our team. Each year CMDA Nigeria mobilizes their own clinic to demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ as they treat the poor and share the gospel with patients and our team will be joining them in this outreach. Our clinic will take place just outside of Abuja, the capital city where we will be giving care to those in great need in this rural area.

Medical care in Nigeria operates mainly on a user fee system and most people are very poor and unable to afford treatment and therefore most hospitals remain empty of patients until they are often times very sick. According to 2009 estimates, HIV prevalence is about 3.6% of the adult population in Nigeria. The 2011 UNAIDS Report indicates that Nigeria has the second highest number of new HIV infections in the world and lacks the necessary HIV-related investments to combat the disease. There is great need to serve the poor and underserved in Nigeria and we will be the hands and feet of Jesus as well as His ambassadors in sharing the good news to those without hope!

We will also host a pastors and church leaders conference to train and equip pastors to be lifetime disciple makers in a country where 98% have never attended bible school or seminary. This focus of our team will enable Christian leaders to see the vision and strategy Jesus has to reach every tribe and tongue and nation and fulfill the Great Commission.

Nigeria has vast petroleum resources and produces much wealth but sadly the country is corrupt on every level and the resources seldom get to the people. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world. According to the United Nations, Nigeria has been undergoing explosive population growth and one of the highest growth and fertility rates in the world. By their projections, Nigeria is one of eight countries expected to account collectively for half of the world's total population increase from 2005–2050. Health, health care, and general living conditions in Nigeria are poor. Life expectancy is 47 years (average male/female) and just over half the population has access to potable water and appropriate sanitation. Nigeria is the only country in Africa to have never eradicated polio, which it periodically exports to other African countries.

While Nigeria is divided equally between Islam in the north and Christianity in the middle and south, it is evident across Nigeria that more people are receiving the Gospel. The challenges however of the introduction of Islam in northern Muslim states has been a concern of regional stability and a threat to Christian ministry in those states affected. This is all the more reason why the transforming power of the Gospel needs to penetrate these un-reached people groups.

But let us assure you that our team will only go into a stable area in central or south Nigeria and our hosts are committed to making our safety and effectiveness their highest priority.
 
What Can You Expect From This Mission Trip?

• To know you are seeking to obey Jesus' Great Commission of making disciples of other nations, and out of obedience expand God's 
   kingdom.
• To have your life changed by being taken out of your comfort zone and put into a situation where the Lord can
   speak to your heart and mind in a way you may never have experienced.
• To experience a cross-cultural doctor-patient relationship.
• To appreciate the practice of medicine and dentistry with limited resources.
• To gain opportunities to treat the whole person by speaking to the patient’s spiritual needs as you share your faith.
• To be exposed to similar needs all over the world and to develop a global heart for seeing this world won to Christ.
• To support the ministry of CMDA N*geria as we minister together to reach Nigeria and beyond in the name of Christ.
• To make some dear friendships with the other team members that you will remember for a lifetime.
 
Vaccination Information: Wondering what immunizations you’ll need for the mission trip? Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control website.