Hospital Opens With Spirit of Recovery in Banda Aceh
The spirit of recovery and healing is everywhere in Indonesia's Aceh province. And in that spirit, on December 15, 2005 an estimated 300 mothers, children, midwives, doctors and community leaders joined to celebrate the inauguration of the region's first hospital devoted to mothers and children.
Governor of Aceh Province, Azwar Abubakar, left, and Bishop Robert N. Lynch of St Petersburg cut a ribbon of flowers at the dedication of Kesehatan Blang Padang clinic in Banda Aceh on December 15. Photo by CRS Staff
The newly completed building is the first of four that will comprise the new Banda Aceh Women and Children's Hospital. When complete, the state-of-the-art complex will include space for an intensive care unit, radiology, surgery and a 50-bed overnight care facility.
It is a remarkable milestone in a region where, one year ago, the tsunami claimed more than 160,000 lives and left millions more devastated by the horrific loss of loved ones, homes and major city infrastructure. And on this day, it was not difficult to remember that loss. On the grounds where the hospital was built, 28 bodies had been found during the emotional clearing of the land.
But, the scene at the inauguration nearly one year later was one of recovery, healing, progress and life. In attendance were CRS' President Ken Hackett and Bishop Robert N. Lynch, chair of CRS' board of directors, who shared with the community their support, encouragement and message of respect and solidarity.
"We remain inspired by your strength and ability to recover from the unimaginable, with such dignity and perseverance," said Bishop Lynch.
The festivities included free health and nutritional check ups for the pregnant women and children in attendance, all of whom are receiving CRS support in transitional camps. CRS will construct all four buildings of the new hospital in a project valued at $4 million.
"Improving the health of women and children will ensure the health of our greater community. One cannot happen without the other," said CRS President Hackett.
The commitment to healing at the hospital's inauguration extended beyond medical treatment. Inside the main entryway of the hospital was an exhibit by local Acehnese artists, who had painted scenes from stories told to them by tsunami survivors. Women and children stared at the compelling images and spoke in animated whispers.
At the heart of the event were the children present. The most moving moment of the day came when 34 children who survived the tsunami sang a song written by 18-year-old Ummi Khaled. Their words reminded all of what remains — the voices of those who could not be present.
