Volunteer Church Missionary Couple Helps Missionaries Maintain Health

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has over 85,000 volunteer missionaries serving in 406 missions throughout the world.  Among the volunteer missionaries are retired physicians, such as Hon. Grant Hill, MD, PC.

Dr. Hill retired after 35 years of medical practice as a family doctor and surgeon in rural Canada. He also served as a member of parliament in Canada for 10 years. Now he volunteers as the missionary medical advisor in West Africa, including the countries of Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Dr. Hill and his wife Susan explain that their major objectives are to prevent illness among the missionaries, and if a missionary becomes ill to help get prompt competent medical help. Another goal is to get the medical insurance of the missionaries accepted in hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities.  

To meet these objectives, the couple spends time teaching missionaries good health practices when they first begin their missionary service. The couple also insures that needed vaccinations are given to each missionary.

Dr. Hill also visits hospitals and clinics in the area to establish positive working relationships with their staff because it builds bridges that assist the missionaries in times of need. 

After serving in the Canadian parliament for a decade, the Hills see volunteering in West Africa for 18 months as a chance to serve again. 

“Being on call 24/7 to help the over 2,000 missionaries in West Africa is a special opportunity,” Dr. Hill said. 

Missionary service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is voluntary. Missionaries fund their own expenses during their time of services — except for their transportation to and from their field of labor — and are not paid for the services they provide.