Babies in Balige hospital

The baby on the left is in the care of the hospital because his mother died, and he is too young to be cared for properly by his family. He will probably be collected when he's old enough.
The one on the right is recovering from encephalitis.
They were both frightened of all the strange-looking people who came to see them, but a nurse came in and comforted them.
Keep these little ones in your prayers!
In the background, beyond the window, is the newborn area.
Nothing at this hospital was high-tech or new, but everything was clean and well-cared for. The nurses/deaconesses are responsible for cleaning as well as patient care, and they do an excellent job at both.
Many patients and their families were outside their rooms, resting and talking in grassy courtyard areas and enjoying the day. It is sensibly believed that fresh air and sunshine aid healing.
The hospital in Balige is connected with the Deaconess school there, and both are institutions of the HKBP (the Lutheran church). This location has about 150 beds. There is another HKBP hospital on Samosir island in Lake Toba. We did not have a chance to visit that one. (Maybe next time!)

MBF