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On November 10, Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Ruth, visited Hospital de Clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela in Montevideo, Uruguay. The visit highlighted how donations from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over the past 14 years have contributed to improvements in healthcare at the hospital.
Elder Renlund was joined by Elder Edward Dube of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife Naume, as well as Elder Eduardo Gavarret of the South America South Area Presidency and his wife Norma. They were accompanied by medical directors from the hospital during their tour.
“We have been impressed by the compassion, love, and desire to help shown by the doctors and healthcare providers we have met,” said Elder Renlund. “Their example reminds us that serving others is one of the purest expressions of God’s love.”
He added, “God is no respecter of persons, and that is why we must treat one another as brothers and sisters. Part of loving God is showing love to our neighbor.”
Since 2011, Hospital de Clínicas has received three Nihon Kohden neurological monitoring systems through support from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These systems are used for a range of specialized procedures including nerve conduction studies and EEGs. As a result, more than 4,400 advanced medical studies have been performed at the hospital, improving care for thousands of patients.
During Elder Renlund’s visit, an official letter from the Academic Unit of Clinical Neurophysiology expressed gratitude for these donations: “We want to express our deep appreciation for your constant commitment to the well-being of patients and for the boost your donations have given to the technological and scientific development of our hospital. Your support has had a direct and tangible impact on the quality of care we provide every day.”
Speaking about such donations worldwide, Elder Renlund stated: “These humanitarian funds come from Church members around the world and bless people in individual places. It is inspiring to see how the faith and contributions of Latter-day Saints help improve lives and bring hope.”
At the end of his visit, Elder Renlund presented a copy of the Book of Mormon to Dr. Arturo Villar, general director at Hospital de Clínicas, who thanked The Church for its ongoing support.
The visit was part of centennial commemorations marking 100 years since The Church’s presence began in South America. Initiatives like those at Hospital de Clínicas reflect what organizers describe as a commitment to community service under this year’s theme: “Following Jesus Christ, Serving Others.”
Hospital de Clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela serves as Uruguay’s main university hospital affiliated with University of the Republic’s School of Medicine. Founded in 1953, it provides high-complexity care while training future health professionals and supporting research projects that strengthen Uruguay's healthcare system.
