Cancer treatment is scarce and unaffordable for most diagnosed with cancer in rural India. 

With expensive radiation therapy and surgeries combined with poor health care benefits, patients are burdened with paying at least three-quarters of the treatment cost, plunging many into poverty. Without the needed care, nearly 67 percent of those in India diagnosed with cancer die from the disease.*

Thankfully, IGL’s Sharon Cancer Center and General Hospital provides affordable or free care to more than 50 surrounding villages. Many more receive care through its “clinic on wheels,” the Sharon Mobile Hospital that is on the road 20 to 25 days a month. IGL also strives to raise awareness and educate both children and adults about cancer and its prevention. On World Cancer Day, Feb. 4, 2014, more than 1,000 children in IGL’s care attended a program on cancer awareness.

NEXT STEPS

As part of IGL’s goals for 2015, we hope to establish five small, 10-bed hospitals to reach more villagers who need medical care. These small hospitals will help keep more people healthy physically, while enabling doctors and nurses to spread the gospel.

Most of the patients cared for under IGL do not have a personal  relationship with Jesus, so the nurses and doctors have the oppor-tunity to share the gospel with them. Many, who experience the generosity of affordable or free care and the witness of the love of Jesus through our staff, come to have a personal relationship with Him.

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…” (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)

One woman, Shameem, was diagnosed with breast cancer. A mother with four children, she initially sought treatment at a private hospital. They performed surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy – all of which did not seem to improve her health. Soon she experienced difficulty breathing and was in severe pain. Then she found Sharon Hospital where she was admitted this year. Since receiving treatment there, she has improved significantly and is on her way to recovery. She is not a believer in Jesus, but has been curious about Him and attends the morning devotions at the hospital. Please pray that she would be persuaded and overwhelmed by the love of Jesus to begin a relationship with Him.

*GLOBOCAN 2012 report