The Luke Commission celebrates historic year

SAGLE — This past year was a historic one for The Luke Commission.

The nonprofit, which provides free healthcare in Eswatini, helped more than 300,000 "very important patients" and now shoulders a third of the African country's national healthcare framework.

In 2023, the nonprofit not only completed over 30,000 eye services but over 500 people received the gift of sight through specialty surgical care, TLC officials said.

But that is just the start of the year's achievements, they said.

TLC's medical staff performed 20 total hip replacements, delivered 1,100 babies, and offered counseling, support, and prayer to every patient. It provides both outpatient and inpatient services as well as surgical, emergency, and critical care at its Miracle Campus in central Eswatini.

Along with medical care, the group provides HIV testing and counseling, prescriptions, eyeglasses, and clothing to those in need.

“As we near our 20th year as an organization, we can’t help but express gratitude,” said Echo VanderWal, who grew up in Bonner County. “Our goal from day one has been to serve ‘Every Last One’ and we stretch every donation to maximize care for every patient who entrusts their health to us.”

Staff receives ongoing training, helping them to serve with love "as if each VIP were their own father, mother, sister, brother, or child," the VanderWals said in a press release.

The Luke Commission’s training program — designed to facilitate inner healing for unprocessed grief and trauma — also cultivates a can-do, servant mentality that has become an organizational trademark, TLC officials said.

Its campus includes the Miracle Campus Hospital, a training and leadership center, and an oxygen production plant, the largest plant of its type in Africa. In total, more than 25 buildings are on the site.

Starting this month, The Luke Commission team expects to begin delivering life-saving medicines, vaccines, blood, and snakebite antivenom throughout Eswatini via the nation’s new drone network. TLC officials said the nonprofit will soon deploy telehealth hubs to allow underserved patients to connect remotely to doctors at its central campus, alleviating the need to travel long distances to a pharmacy or a health facility.

“We expect these innovations to topple barriers to healthcare access for underserved populations like never before,” said Dr. Harry VanderWal. “We dream of an Eswatini that is an innovation hub for the continent and helps us fulfill our mission to provide equitable, compassionate, comprehensive care for ‘Every Last One.’”

While the nonprofit recognized early on the needs of the rural communities, it took time to show how it could fit with existing healthcare organizations in Eswatini.

As it built relationships and trust with the Eswatini people, the commission sought to fill gaps in existing medical services and tailor outreach events to the needs of a specific community.

It took a long time to convince the country's residents and officials that The Luke Commission was there to stay, but the effort paid off.

The faith-based humanitarian group was founded in 2005 by Dr. Harry and Echo VanderWal to provide comprehensive medical care to the residents of the African kingdom, formerly known as Swaziland. The couple had visited the country the year before and, after seeing the devastation caused by HIV/AIDS, knew they had to do something.

The following year, the medical doctor and physician's assistant moved to Eswatini with the 3-year-old triplets and 2-month-old baby.

The African country has the highest rate of HIV in the world, at 27%.

What started as a husband-and-wife team with a handful of local staff has grown into a team of over 700 serving the most isolated and underserved people in southern Africa.

The coming year promises even more services, TLC officials said. Among the technologies and breakthroughs being developed to help The Luke Commission serve even more patients is its proprietary digital ecosystem, Luvelo. The logistics management data system provides end-to-end supply chain accountability and creates efficiencies and visibility throughout TLC's operations.

Luvelo, which means “compassion” in Siswati, was recently named a finalist in the MIT Solve Awards and is poised to be scaled up as an enterprise solution for other sectors.

Information: lukecommission.org

    A member of The Luke Commission takes part in a telehealth visit.
  

    Dr. Harry VanderWal, far left, and Echo VanderWal, second from right, are pictured during a June visit by Eswatini King Mswati III to The Luke Commission's Miracle Campus. The Luke Commission was recognized with several awards by King Mswati III during the visit.
  

    A team from The Luke Commission checks over a drone. The Luke Commission team expects to begin delivering life-saving medicines, vaccines, blood, and snakebite antivenom throughout Eswatini via the nation’s new drone network
  

    A member of The Luke Commission helps a patient at its 20-plus acre Miracle Campus. The nonprofit, which provide free healthcare in Eswatini, helped more than 300,000 "very important patients" in 2023.