Today I Am Thankful For…

… the National Health Service.

Just a quick post of thanks – being thankful is important and I am looking forward to sharing what I am thankful for with you throughout the year. Today’s post is focusing on the NHS and healthcare specifically.

I am thankful for:

• The NHS being free at the point of use
• All of the staff that contribute to helping each patient, from doctors and nurses, physios and midwives, pharmacists and radiographers, cleaners and receptionists and so many more that i could not list them all!
• Medicines
• Aftercare
• Several GP surgeries to choose from
• Wisdom and practical advice from those that study and learn to help others
• Being able to be treated in different places, from walk-in centres, hospitals and even at home by community nurses
• Helpful and informative leaflets and websites on the many services the NHS provide
• The NHS as an employer for many people I know!

I am aware that we are very fortunate to have such a wonderful health service when so many in the world do not benefit from free healthcare, or any healthcare at all.

I am remembering all of those trained in the health and medical professions who serve overseas in some of the most difficult areas. Particularly, I remember those who provide emergency relief in natural disasters and epidemics, in particular the Ebola virus hitting much of West Africa at the moment. May the necessary prevention measures, treatment, infrastructure and medical professionals be abundant in these areas, and in other areas where there is need – this is my prayer this evening.

Here are some websites worth reading from the most current strike in the NHS today, to the Ebola virus which has dominated news headlines recently and some charities helping the world’s most vulnerable through healthcare:

1. NHS strike 13/10/14: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29560083
2. Ebola: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26835233
3. Tearfund working to fight HIV/AIDS: http://www.tearfund.org/en/about_us/what_we_do_and_where/issues/hiv_and_aids/
4. World Vision and Child Health: http://www.worldvision.org.uk/our-work/child-health/
5. Oxfam and Health: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do/issues-we-work-on/health-and-education

It might be worth having a look at the World Health Organization to see what other health-related issues are going on around the world: http://www.who.int/en/

Have you been looked after by medical staff or benefited from medicine? Let’s give thanks for the health and healthcare systems and provisions we have received. Let’s pray for the provision, treatment, infrastructure and staff to reach those that are in most need of healthcare, whoever and wherever they are in the world.

Psalm 30:2

“O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.”