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The Salvation Army in Canada Remains Committed to Howard Hospital, Zimbabwe

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Toronto, ON, August 23, 2012 – The Salvation Army in Canada has been informed by its International Headquarters located in London, England, that Howard Hospital remains operational following the recent reassignment of the Chief Medical Officer, Captain Dr. Paul Thistle. Patients are being treated by the two doctors and other medical staff at the hospital.

A new Acting Hospital Administrator has been assigned and is in place to guide the facility through this transition. According to the statement issued by the Army’s International Headquarters, service will continue and be enhanced by significant, planned future investment in the hospital.

Since this situation began, The Salvation Army in Canada has been in regular contact with its International Headquarters. A team under the direction of International Headquarters will be heading as soon as possible to Howard Hospital to review and analyze this situation further. The goal of this group is to better understand the situation on the ground in Zimbabwe, and to reaffirm our continued support for the hospital and local community.

“As an organization, we remain committed to Howard Hospital and to the people of Zimbabwe today and in the future,” said Commissioner Brian Peddle, Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. ”We consider the health of its patients and the well-being of the staff at Howard Hospital to be of paramount importance.”

As the home territory for Captain Dr. Paul Thistle and Captain Pedrinah Thistle, The Salvation Army in Canada is working to ensure the safe return of the Thistle family. The Salvation Army will work to ensure that this transition period runs smoothly and will do what is needed to help them reacclimatize to life in Canada. Once they are home and settled, consultation will take place with them regarding their future appointments.

“Our first priority is to welcome the Thistles back to Canada,” said Commissioner Peddle. “I have been in communication with Paul and anticipate further dialogue upon his return home.”

Canadians have always generously supported the work of Howard Hospital. A statement from our International Headquarters confirms that “systems of internal and external audit are in place and that we will investigate the processing of donations to Howard Hospital as a further act of accountability to our donors.”

The Salvation Army in Canada will soon be sending a shipment of medical supplies valued at more than $300,000 to Howard Hospital shortly.

Learn more at www.SalvationArmy.ca

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

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For further information please contact:

Andrew Burditt
National Director of Marketing and Communications
The Salvation Army
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org
www.SalvationArmy.ca

 

56 Responses

  1. Having trained in Zimbabwe with Dr. Thistle as my preceptor I can assure you that nobody is nearly as competent or hard working as he is. He is a man with an undeniable passion for medicine and cares for people like no other. Taking him away from Howard is a crime.

    I think we can all agree that there is corruption within the ranks of SA Zim. I think we can go further to say that this corruption influenced IHQ. And finally, I think we can all agree that SA Canada is aware of what is going on but too afraid to admit it and bring this SA scandal into the spotlight.

    SA Canada – you need to come to your senses and “GIVE HOPE TODAY” to the people of Zimbabwe by fighting for what’s right.

  2. This is an absolute disgrace. Paul and Pedrinah, our cousins,
    have done all the work to keep this hospital running under the
    direst circumstances. Only now, after their “re-assignment” – a
    lovely sanitized word-play to disguise the real situation, does the
    Army IHQ suggest investigating the corruption on site. Only now, after years of underfunding, does it talk about “enhanced future investment in the hospital” – words that Dr. Thistle and his team have waited years to hear. Paul does not need to be re-acclimatized to Canada. Unfortunately, there is only one Dr.
    Paul Thistle and his heart is with his patients in Zimbabwe.
    Let him go, and you will never see the likes of him again.

  3. I lived in Zimbabwe and met Paul Thistle on quite a few occassions. Perhaps people should stop donanting to The Salvation Army until this gets resolved. To remove Thistle is just a bad move on the SA’s part. The leadership needs to repent.

  4. Once again, shame on the Army! This morning in our church bulletin is yet another piece of propaganda under the guise of a press release ensuring members of the SA that all is well and good and going according to plan with HH and Dr. Thistle. This could not be farther from the truth. They continue to assert that it’s business as usual at HH. This is nothing short off a lie. The $300 thousand shipment is no longer going over as they claim. Which, by the way is not a SA donation of medicines and supplies but a donation made by doctors from the Trillium hospital-the SA is only responsible for the $15 thousand shipping costs- that shipment has now understandably been pulled. Stop with the words and start with the actions. Shame on the SA leadership both abroad and in Canada.

  5. It is so unchristian how the sally ann has treated the Thistles. the secular society would support them more than this organization.
    It is a sad commentary in the way the army has hid their head in the sand.
    They will pay a price for their neglect to this Godly family.

  6. I have read with interest the news about Captain Thistle. I know what I am about to say it may not be fully in line with the general thought and I know procedures in the Army can be hard to accept, yet I am sure maybe a middle way can be found.

    The blow has been given already, environment in Howard hospital may not be the best. Captains are going back home, BUT have you ever considered proposing and asking Captain Thistle for the Army clinic in Haiti? It is closer to Canada and with as much need as in Africa, besides being a french speaking country also and maybe a more friendly crew ready to accept and work with them. There is still purpose in the captains life and this is a close call also for the army in Zimbabwe.

    I just thought about it and it may be something that may relieve the anxiousness that I am sure it is being felt at this event. God bless you and thanks for hearing my opinion. I wish the best for you all.

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