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BAHC Pharmacist to travel to Panama for medical mission

Doug Knoble knows his mission in Panama. After all, it's also his personal mission in Boscobel - provide quality health care services and share his strong Christian faith.

Knoble, a pharmacist at Boscobel Area Health Care, will be joining a team of medical professionals January 5, 2009, on a medical and Christian mission trip to Panama, where they will serve the Guyami people in the village of Ola.

This is Knoble's third medical mission in the past five years. He was joined by Dr. Kurt Willhelm of Boscobel Clinic on his first two missions, and will be accompanied by Boscobel Area Health Care RN Theresa Brewer this year.

"We go into communities where there is no access to medical care," said Knoble. "People are so appreciative of what we can do. They will stand in line all day long to see a doctor."

Education is a big part of their medical care. "Many of the health issues we see, such as parasites, are caused by contaminated water sources. Proper hygiene and daily living changes are important in improving health conditions."

Knoble said last time he was near this area his group saw a lot of upper respiratory infections in children, skin infections, parasites, and some leg and back strain in the older children and adults who worked the coffee plantations on the sides of the mountains.

While families are in line, the Panama based host organization, "Youth With A Mission" (YWAM) hosts a bible camp for the children. "We are there to take care of medical needs and spiritual needs. The medical care is short term, but the spiritual aspect is eternal," Knoble said.

In addition to the medical and spiritual mission in Ola, the group will visit an orphanage and participate in a building project.

The mission is organized by the Richland Center Fellowship. Knoble and his colleagues are asking for donations to support the mission. Items sought include gloves, medical tape, and over-the-counter drugs such as antacids, allergy medicines, topical creams, and pain killers. Here is a complete list of supplies needed. (You may print out this list for reference.)

Persons interested in donating can bring supplies to Knoble at Boscobel Area Health Care's pharmacy, or drop them off to his attention at the hospital registration desk at the main entrance on Parker Street. Monetary donations, which will be used to purchase pallets of prescription medications and other medical supplies, can be made out to "Richland Center Fellowship" and mailed to Boscobel Area Health Care, attention Doug Knoble, 205 Parker St., Boscobel, WI, 53805.