Good news for Fr Joe Ruys

Photo: ©iStock.com/turk_stock_photographer

Fr Joe recently shared that, thanks to the support of Melbourne Overseas Missions (MOM) and Columban supporters, they opened the first stage of their Medical Centre in September 2009. This gave them a reception/admission office, two consultation rooms for general medicine, an office for a social worker/coordinator of the centre and a small pharmacy. The pharmacy is supplied mainly from Caritas, Peru.

In 2011 with the extra support of a group of friends in Melbourne, 'Friends of Paradise', they opened a second stage with the hope of handing the project over to the Peruvian Ministry of Health in order to gain better and more consistent medical support for this isolated population.

Earlier this year the Ministry for Health adopted a new policy regarding mental health and decided to regionalise their centres but lacked a suitable facility in the Northern area of Lima. They remembered the Medical Centre had a standing offer for the Ministry of Health to take over the ownership and functions of the facility.

In July 2018 after months of negotiations, an official handover ceremony took place. I attended the ceremony with The Minister of Health for the Northern Region of Lima and the parish priest of Los Santos Arcangeles, Columban Fr Tavo Palenapa, volunteers and around 20 staff members who will work at the new Ministry of Health Medical Post.

Speeches were made by the Minister for Health, Fr Napa and Fr Joe recognising the great contribution of MOM, ‘Friends of Paradise’, Columban supporters and the dedicated efforts of volunteers and professional staff.

Perivan lady collecting her medication from the Medical Centre.Perivan lady collecting her medication from the Medical Centre.

Rosa Sialer, the Centre’s stalwart volunteer/receptionist and current secretary of the local community management group, said: “We are all so proud of what we have been able to achieve with the financial help from Australia. While we are sad to close this chapter with Fr Joe and his friends, we look forward with great hope to this new chapter with the involvement of the Ministry of Health. Our dreams have become a reality.”

The new centre will be a referral centre for all mental health needs for the North of Lima. It will also provide State funded general health services to the local people, State subsidised medicines as well as monthly ‘campaigns’ which offer specialised consultations for the locals. The Ministry has employed two local women we have skilled up through the project and are looking to employ two or three more as security, maintenance and cleaning.

It has been a very positive outcome for the locals and the State.

This new service, available largely due to your support in an area of Lima that had for so long been neglected by the State, will greatly enhance the quality of life for the needy locals. It is a great example of how the Columban Missionary Society works to involve and enable a local community to take control of its own future building a better climate for all.
Congratulations and thanks to all our supporters and co-workers.

Fr Joe Ruys is a Columban Associate priest from the Archdiocese of Melbourne working in Lima, Peru. 

Listen to Good news for Fr Joe Ruys

Related links

2024 Columban Art Calendar

Code : 180

In Stock | CALENDAR

$10.00  

Calendar Dimensions: 220mm (W) x 320mm (H)

1 Calendar $10.00 Special Offer: Buy more than one Calendar and pay $8.00 for each additional one. 

See all products