Join Us in Supporting Dr. Merlyn's Recovery

Rose Fernando is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

The purpose of this GoFundMe is to contribute to the current emergency and forthcoming medical expenses of Dr. Merlyn Edward Fernando.

The situation is dire, but we still believe God has blessed. Why?

Two hours before leaving India and getting on a plane to visit some of his children and grandchildren who live in the USA, Merlyn fell while heading to the restroom.

This would have been a 15 hour flight.

His wife Elizabeth did her best to catch him and fortunately there was no bodily damage from the fall, but her being a doctor herself, she noticed that something was not right.

True to his fiery spirit, Merlyn adamantly stressed that he was ok, and insisted over and over in putting clothes on and heading straight to the airport! "We must go!"

Fortunately he acquiesced to Betty's urges and was rushed to the hospital, where subsequent tests determined that he had suffered a small stroke. More small strokes were possible very soon if his condition was not stabilized, doctors said.

More fiery behaviour! Dr. Fernando said he didn't want to stay in the hospital, much less in that hospital bed. "Where are my clothes!" he said, "it's time to leave!"

However as he listened to the information given by the doctors attending to him, he realized the situation at hand, understanding that recovery will take time.

The hospital where Dr. Merlyn is staying is Christian Medical College, located in Vellore, India.

Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

This is a bittersweet yet serendipitous occurrence, as this institute of higher education is the EXACT place that young medical student "Merle" met and fell in love with young medical student "Betty" in 1960. They have been together since, 65 years.

They both completed their medical training at CMC in India and then went on to minister together in different missions around the world, from serving in Karachi Adventist Hospital in Pakistan, to both Merlyn and Betty being the ONLY 2 doctors on staff for many years to help grow Lakeside Adventist Hospital in Kandy, Sri Lanka, to *then* moving to Hong Kong and working at Tsuen Wan Adventist hospital for over 20 years.

(Merle's twin brother Dr. Noel and wife Dr. Pam founded Lakeside Adventist Hospital and were the only 2 doctors on staff. After setting the groundwork, Noel and Pam left and Merle and Betty came to relieve them, serving Sri Lanka there from 1968 to 1984. God blessed and protected Lakeside, especially through Sri Lanka's ethnic strife in the early 80s. Buildings all around Lakeside were destroyed and set ablaze, but the hospital was always untouched.

Also, Lakeside was a safe haven for both sides of the conflict. Lakeside was a beacon of hope, education and care in the community and served whomever needed medical attention with no discrimination or hesitation, and there was an unspoken agreement in the community that that place was to be untouched.

Betty and Merle have amazing personal stories about what happened there during that time in history. Angry mobs outside at night with fire, being calmed and soothed and led away. People running inside the hospital to get away from being chased and killed. It was an amazing time.)

Lakeside Adventist Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka

All his life, Dr. Merlyn gave to others freely, liberally and heavily, with no reservations.

(It is in his blood, as he had a powerful example in his life. His father was R. S. Fernando, a founding pioneer of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Sri Lanka. R.S. lived a full life: 97 years young.)

An author and teacher, Merlyn frequently wrote educational pamphlets and gave medical talks to classes and community groups, and when disasters struck-- like the December 26, 2004 tsunami that devastated south Asia, particularly his home country of Sri Lanka, he organized funding drives and hand-delivered needed tools and supplies to locals and fishermen who's lives and livelihoods had been decimated by the disaster.

(Funnily enough, Dr. Merlyn-- along with his family and children-- had been walking and playing on the EXACT same Sri Lankan beaches in that same December of 2004, just a scant 2 weeks prior to the tsunami that would touch those same shores.)

With his wife at his bedside in India and children, grandchildren, family and friends praying around the world, this GoFundMe has been conceived to create relief for the mounting medical bills that have started and will continue.

It is Merlyn's wish to be transported to Hong Kong where, because of his prior medical service as a physician there, he will actually receive FREE healthcare as a gift from the government, but to do this there is much work to be done, as well as ground/air medical transport costs to get to Hong Kong from India.

Finance-wise, whatever route is undertaken there are both specific and undetermined medical expenses ahead:

1) Hong Kong option: Air transport from Chennai Int'l Airport to Hong Kong > Ambulance medical transport from HK airport and required admittance to Private hospital first > Ambulance transport to Public hospital to receive complimentary medical care > Air transport from Hong Kong back to his home in Kandy, Sri Lanka

2) Sri Lanka option: Air transport from Chennai Int'l Airport to Colombo, Sri Lanka > Ambulance transport from airport via 3 hour road trip to Lakeside Adventist Hospital > Medical care, stabilization, settling back into his home in Kandy

Present expenses are for CMC hospital as Dr. Fernando was admitted on April 3, 2025. His children Nigel, Sandra and Rose are currently traveling in the air from the USA and Hong Kong, en route to him to provide the love and support that we believe will fuel his strength and desire for a full recovery.

All avenues are being explored on a daily basis, with constant communication between physicians, hospitals and multiple airline companies, all in different countries. We all want Dad/Grandpa/Dr. Merle well and home as soon as possible.

The latest development as of 4/8/25 was that he agreed to a feeding tube-- where prior? He was against it with all his might. He has since decided YES, to get to Hong Kong he must be in the strongest condition possible to expedite his recovery.

Dear Reader, please know that this GoFundMe will be a space to receive updates on his care and condition-- and we thank you in advance for however you are able to support this situation via your Love, your Prayers and your Contributions.

Please, specifically, also pray for and send positive vibes to Elizabeth/Betty. She has been strong throughout all of this, and sometimes those who are strong need a break the most. Lift her up to whomever you Believe in, that she might be able to endure this arduous Journey that is ahead for her.