Background

Since its inception, Bishop T.D. Jakes and The Potter’s House of Dallas, Inc. have highlighted and addressed the state of health of American people. Several Potter’s House ministries (e.g. medical, counseling, HIV/AIDS, chemical dependency) were created to heighten awareness and offer appropriate intervention for individuals managing health issues. Additionally, during national conferences, the ministry has historically partnered with health affiliates and offered free health services (e.g. 50 Million Pound Challenge, Red Cross, SAMSHA, Black AIDS Institute). One example of the ministry’s commitment to addressing health concerns was the 2006 launch of the national It’s Time to Step Up HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. The purpose of this campaign is to increase awareness about the prevention and intervention of HIV/AIDS. Through this campaign, the ministry has gained national critical acclaim for effective HIV/AIDS programming, powerful coalitions, and the ability to normalize discussion on HIV/AIDS in the church sector. In addition, the ministry’s commitment to lending a helping hand in South Africa and other countries has been evidenced via the building of water wells in Kenya, adding a wing to the Melchizadek Hospital, and offering medical camps throughout various impoverished countries. Broadening the scope of service delivery to reach around the world and into Johannesburg and Swaziland is a natural step toward the ultimate worldwide mission of helping hurting people.

Goals

Through the MegaCARE health initiative, all resources are aimed at an exponential increase in the number of Swaziland and South Africans who:

• Know their general healthcare status,
• Know their HIV status,
• Receive treatment for general, dental, ophthalmic ailments, and
• Gain awareness about the latest African health phenomena.

Currently, there are no Potter’s House-sponsored healthcare activities in South Africa. The majority of Potter’s House international affairs take the form of faith-based mission trips to: a) dig wells, b) hold medical camps, c) donate goods and services.
Due to the statistics surrounding the inaccessibility to healthcare, high HIV infections rates, and limited number of South African healthcare officials, during Megafest, the Potter’s House family seeks to lend a helping hand.

MegaCARE Health Goals

1. Offer health screenings to those who may not be able to access such services.
2. Treat minor ails.
3. Refer major ails to local healthcare facilities.
4. Hand out self-care supplies e.g. eye glasses, toothbrushes, floss, stress balls, etc.
5. Distribute healthcare information e.g. healthcare pamphlets, preventive care guides.
Megafest After-Care
1. Distribution of local healthcare resource directories.
2. Advertisement of 800 numbers of healthcare resources.
3. Dispensing of pharmaceuticals.
4. Dispensing of bibles and prayer tools.
5. Linking participants to South African healthcare agencies for follow-up care.
6. Developing a follow-up care team of Potter’s House and South African healthcare personnel provide 3, 6, and 9 month follow-up visits with MegaCARE participants.
7. Solidification of healthcare partnership between Potter’s House and South African healthcare agencies with goals of a) sending supplies and goods, b) future medical missions, and c) co-research development.

MegaCARE Research

In addition, quantitative and qualitative data will be collected from consenting MegaCARE participants on knowledge of their healthcare status, impediments to proper healthcare, and healthcare enhancements.
This research will be utilized to develop empirically-based recommendations to enhance the acquisition of appropriate healthcare in South Africa.

Johannesburg

10/9/08 Medicine, supplies and equipment arrives to Expo Centre
10/10/08 Partners Meeting, MegaCARE Briefing
Open for service - Pro-Health, PEPFAR, New Start, Dept. of Health
10/11/08 Saturday (8:00a.m.-6:00p.m.)
10/12/08 Sunday (9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.)
10/14/08 PH MegaCARE team travel to Swaziland
Medicine, supplies and equipment arrive to Swaziland

II. Swaziland

10/15/08 Partners Meeting, MegaCARE Briefing
Open for service - Pro-Health, PEPFAR, New Start, Dept. of Health, World Vision
10/16/08 Thursday (10:00a.m.-6:00p.m.)
10/17/08 Friday (10:00a.m.-6:00p.m.)
10/18/08 Saturday (10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.)
10/19/08 Swaziland Crusade

 

*Subject to Change*