LINKS WITH JAPAN:
In June the Director was honoured to be invited to join Shin-Osaka Rotary Club in celebrating their 25th anniversary, at which he thanked them for their generous donation of 24 new modern hospital beds. These beds, including an intensive care bed and multi-purpose emergency trolley, have many features which make for better patient care and easier staff management. We are also grateful for the recent generous donation from the Japan Embassy Grass Roots Assistance Grant which has enabled us to receive and install many new items of equipment including a full video-endoscope system, camera and computer which will be of great diagnostic benefit to our patients.

CPD PROGRAMME:
The second CPD team returned in July 2010 after 6 months training in CMC Vellore. This time the focus for our doctor and 2 of the nurses was on Paediatric and Neonatal Medicine and Nursing Care. Another staff nurse received training in General Emergency care, Trauma and Burn management. The knowledge and experience they acquired will help CHC to care better for many patients. Unfortunately, due to some visa difficulties we have not been able to send a third team yet, but we hope the CPD programme will be able to resume soon.

DIRECTOR RECEIVES AWARD FROM CMC VELLORE:
In August, Dr. M. Stephen Chowdhury was honoured by CMC Vellore Alumni Association for almost 20 years of service to the deprived people of the Chittagong Plains and Hill Tracts. He was named as the 2010 recipient of the College Motto Award, for having truly exemplified the College Motto "Not to be served, but to serve". Dr Stephen received his award and citation at a special meeting in Vellore, which Mr James Sarkar (Finance Manager) also attended to represent CHC. In his acceptance speech the Director emphasised that his award was also due to the efforts of all CHC staff; we are very proud that he has achieved this international recognition for himself and CHC.

OTHER NEWS IN BRIEF
The construction of the new hospital chapel continues despite many problems with weather, materials, costs and labour. The main structure is now complete and we are now awaiting specially-constructed beams to support the roof. We thank the donors for their patience and assure them the project has not been forgotten. We are also pleased that CHC has been selected to be one of 5 Bangladesh partner organisations for a new 5-year global programme funded by the Dutch Government, which will improve reproductive health and rights for our patients and their families.

CHALLENGES FOR 2011:
As we reflect on the events of the past year and look forward to 2011, we recognise that this is a time of change for CHC. The hospital itself and our range of activity have grown significantly over the last decade. The challenges posed by rapid growth in electronic communications, our need to recruit computer-literate staff, securing sustainable funding, analysing our data and maintaining our infrastructures are daunting. We pray that God will show us some solutions and ask all our friends and supporters to consider how we can best meet these challenges. If there is anything you think you can do to help, please get in touch. We wish you all a Peaceful and Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year in 2011.