S³ Ministries

Hospital Radio

MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH HOSPITAL RADIO!

We are excited about a new project that we are helping to start!

In 1998 on our first mission trip to W. Africa, we were struck by the fact that patients would wait all day or more if necessary to see a doctor.  There was nothing to do and since most were strangers to each other, conversations lagged.  We thought that some Christian radio would be perfect to help keep them entertained but more importantly, to teach them about their own health and about Jesus Christ.   We were excited about it and talked to many folks about the idea, but we did not have the expertise or contacts to make it happen. A few years later, Bill Mial from Trans World Radio had a similar idea but also had trouble with his idea gaining traction. He had the expertise but not the inroad into the hospitals.   Last year, we met and “Hospital Radio” was born.

The concept of “Hospital Radio” combines entertainment with education and evangelism in an intentional way.  Using a closed circuit internal “hospital radio voice”, such an system installed on the hospital grounds would allow a hospital administrator, missionaries and church to provide information, entertainment, and local announcements to both staff and patients in outpatient locations, hallways and hospital rooms.    Many have seen this as a highly desirable addition to medical centers both small and large.

Description of Programming: The initial programming would come from the rich resources of Trans World Radio’s 30 years of broadcasting throughout Africa (currently in 62 languages) that would provide much valuable material for the Hospital Radio ministry.  There are special programs available which are designed for family, women and children, Bible teaching, holistic programming, dramas, interviews, etc. in all the major languages of Africa as well as many dialects.  Program material from other sources (including those programs conceived and recorded locally in regional languages) can be added as it becomes available. Program material to keep the service fresh and viable can be supplied either by CD (through the mail) or through a small inexpensive satellite dish for “direct program reception” from a TWR satellite channel (received throughout the largest portion of the African Continent). In the future, archiving and exchanging programs via the Internet is possible.

Installation and Equipment: If the mission hospital is already wired for intercom, the pre-existing system can be used as a means of delivery of the programming.  Given the usual design of African hospitals, a small 1 watt FM radio transmitter seems an ideal solution, assuming that the licensing issue (if locally an issue) can be surmounted.  Speakers with amplifiers for open areas and smaller frequency-restricted radios (including “pillow speakers”) would serve individual patients.  These pillow speakers have proven particularly advantageous for areas which mix the very ill and the not-so-ill.  It is also ideal for patients of other faiths who want to listen without incurring the risk of public awareness of their activity and interest.

Depending on the equipment ordered, the hospital or local church would also be able to do their own program mixing and record programming and announcements in the local languages.  It would be possible to perform public announcements over the system as well.

Estimated Costs: The estimated costs for the technical aspect of such an installation could be as little as $1,000 (US) for a small medical clinic up to approximately $50,000 for a full blown FM transmitter/studio/on air mixer for a large hospital.  A smaller hospital would be around $4,000 plus installation costs, depending on the number of radios, speakers or amplifiers needed.  Installation charges are in addition.

A sample central system suitable for a 100 bed hospital is shown in Table 1

Table 1 – Sample Central System (not including speakers, amplifiers and radios)
Item	Cost (USD)
Galcom Cornerstone One Watt Transmitter	$1250
CD Player	$275
Microphone Sennheiser	$95
Microphone table-top stand	$50
Audio Mixer	$450
Antenna	$300
Coax Cable	$150
Connectors (various)	$100
Total Cost	$2670

Scope of Project: The initial pilot program will include placement in two French-speaking hospitals (Gabon, Togo), one English/Kiswahili hospital (Kenya), and one Portuguese-speaking hospital (Angola).  Funding will be sought for those hospitals participating in the pilot project

Did you catch that last line about funding?  That is where you come in. We have committed to raising money to fund these first four installations and the cost will be between $20,000 and $30,000 for all four.  Consider what you can do to make a difference in whether people hear about Jesus Christ.  For just $50, you can buy a microphone stand; for $100, a microphone, for $450 an audio mixer and for $1250, a radio transmitter.  It is a great project for your Sunday School class, Church or service organization.  For less than five thousand dollars, you can install a complete radio system through an entire hospital.   Please donate by clicking on the button below.  All money donated will go only to this project.

Contact for information, contact Bill Mial,

Click here for a two-page presentation to share with others.