National Scholar Brings HOPE to Mental Health Crisis in Kenya

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 

-Theme verse of the Lights of Hope Mental Health Center at AIC Litein Hospital, Litein, Kenya 

Kenya’s Mental Health Crisis

“Today we officially dedicate the AIC Litein Hospital [Lights of Hope Mental Health Center] to be a beacon of hope to our community, the south region and the country at large,” Dr. Elijah Terer announced to the crowd celebrating the opening of the brand-new mental health clinic at AIC Litein Hospital in Kenya. Dr. Terer is a MedSend National Scholar graduate and now serves as the current CEO of the hospital. On a sunny day in March 2022, one of his long-held dreams was finally becoming a reality.

Dr. Terer credits his residency training, funded by MedSend’s National Scholars program, with teaching him how to relate to and connect with his patients. As he graduated, he shared with us that he is passionate about preventing adolescent suicide and made it a point to visit local schools to talk to students. His instincts guided him to an urgent issue at just the right time.  

National Scholar Meets the Challenge

In 2021, The Ministry of Health in Kenya declared that one in every four Kenyans will likely suffer from a mental disorder in their lifetime. The National Authority for the Campaign of Drug Abuse estimates that over 2.5 million Kenyans between ages 15 to 65 suffer from substance abuse. As a result of their findings, The Ministry of Health noted “Public and private partnerships will be an essential ingredient in the successful implementation of [any] action plan.”  

Rising to the challenge, Dr. Terer saw an opportunity to transform his country’s healthcare system by opening a first-of-its-kind Christian inpatient mental health facility at Litein. That vision started with just 3 patients in 2018.  In 2021, during the clinic’s planning phase, they treated 875 patients seeking mental health and substance abuse services. In 2022, they had already treated 185 patients by the end of February–proving that the soon-to-open inpatient facility would make a revolutionary impact in the area, vastly expanding their ability to treat those seeking help.

Dr. Terer is just one incredible example of the success of MedSend’s National Scholars program, where 100% of graduates remain working and serving in areas of high need and low resources. You still have an opportunity to make an impact through your financial support this fiscal year by June 30. Will you join us in sharing the hope of the Gospel in hurting places around the world?

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