From Wheelchairs to Hospital Beds: Vice-President of Palau Accepts Sizable Donation from Church

In 2019, a partnership was formed between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Palau’s Belau National Hospital (BNH), a relationship that continues to bring valuable support to the residents of Palau. It began with a donation of several wheelchairs, and has since grown into the largest contribution yet, made on November 4. This latest donation included 85 wheelchairs, 50 hospital beds, walkers, crutches, various rehabilitation braces, and vital equipment for the oral health department, including dental cabinets, medical scrubs, stainless steel surgical trays, and toothpaste.

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These donations are made possible through the generosity of church members worldwide. Darnelle Worswick, the hospital administrator responsible for distributing the donations, expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing support. She recalled how, before the wheelchair donations, patients would often take the wheelchairs they were given, as the need was so great. "With the new donations, we were able to not only stock the hospital but also provide wheelchairs to community members who needed them," Worswick said.

The relationship between the church and the hospital has continued to grow over the years. After the most recent donation, Brett Child, the Church Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager for the region, asked Worswick what additional supplies the hospital needed. She provided an extensive list, not expecting it to be fulfilled. "When he sent me the full list and told me it was all going to be in a container on its way, I couldn’t believe it," Worswick said. "We are so grateful for all these donations."

Clinical Nurse Manager Kimberly Idip highlighted the importance of the new equipment. "So many of our beds are broken beyond repair, and many of our rooms are just empty without them," she explained. "This donation will help replace all of our broken equipment. It will make such a difference."

The Vice-President of Palau and Minister of Health and Human Services, Raynold Oilouch, was on hand to accept the donation. He expressed the country’s immense gratitude, thanking church members around the world for their generosity. “We extend our deepest gratitude to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This immense donation will directly enhance the quality of care and comfort provided to our patients at BNH.”

Nilhla Redfin, a dentist in the hospital's oral health department, shared how the new dental carts will benefit their operations. "These new carts will stock all six of our exam rooms at the hospital, as well as our three community health centers," Redfin said.

For the staff at BNH, the donation felt like an early Christmas. They expressed excitement at the arrival of the new equipment and can’t wait to begin using it to improve patient care. "We are so excited," said one staff member. "This will make a huge difference in how we serve our community."