ORIGINAL ARTICLE Nov 2014. Christian Journal for Global Health, 1(2):42-47. Surgical Work in Medical Missions: A Study in Remote Areas of India Jesudian Gnanaraj a and Michael Rhodes b a MBBS, MS, MCh (Urology), FICS, FIAGES, FARSI (Rural Surgery), Director of Medical Services, Surgical Services Initiative, Association of Rural Surgeons of India, SEESHA and Karunya University b MA(Cantab),BMBCh(Oxon),MD,FRCS, Associate Professor in Surgery, University of East Anglia, UEA and Chair- man, Surgical Services Initiative Abstract The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ consisted of preaching, teaching, and healing the sick. Medical work has been part of Christian missions for over a century. In In- dia, it has varied from simple nurse run clinics to state-of-the-art medical colleges like the Christian Medical College, Vellore. Most medical work in remote rural areas has been limited to primary care. We look at the surgical work in remote mission fields to find out how it has affected mission work over the last three decades as compared to pure medical work in mission fields. In theory, surgical work on the mission field should contribute to the development of the mission and the local church. The Surgical Services Initiative (SSI) helps a team of national and international surgeons provide cost–effective surgical care to the poor and the marginalized and an excellent opportunity to teach and to train local sur- geons and doctors. The initiative has partnered with many missions like Friends Mis- sionary Prayer Band (FMPB), Operation Mobilization (OM), Gospel for Asia (GFA), and many local churches and organizations. SSI has helped to gain access to various vil- lages where Christian missions were previously not allowed entry thus facilitating their missionary work. Introduction In the early eighties, when the first author was a medical student at The Christian Medical College in Vellore, almost all missionaries who came to the hospital expressed concern about the medical needs in remote areas of the country where they were working. A survey carried out by a team of medical students and missionaries in the Dangs district of Gujarat showed an infant mortality rate of over 300 per 1000 [N= 200]. As many as eight villages or hamlets had the entire population die of diarrhoeal disease in the year 1980. 1 On that 1 st mission in 1980, a patient came to the clinic critically ill with a perforated duodenal ulcer. His perforation sealed spontane- ously which was an answer to prayer as there were no facilities for major surgery or intensive care in the camp. He remained alive and well for many years. The patient had been very anti- Christian, but through his recovery at the hands of Christian missionaries, several churches were planted and grew along the direct route to Baen- skatri in Dangs district, an area previously closed to Christians.