Messages from this hospital

Information about this hopital

Description

We received recommendations from various sources (one of which was the DGOS) to involve MWV in Zambia.
Health care is a source of concern for Zambia, as it is for many African countries.
In reaction to the news that reached us, MWV contacted the Churches Medical Association of Zambia, the national umbrella of hospitals operating under the banner of the Roman Catholic Church. Nothing ever arose from this, but MWV itself took some steps. After the prospective mission in the spring of 2006, two hospitals were retained, in which the General Hospital of Mansa showed some interest, but a partnership was not possible after the sudden and unexpected departure of the medical director.

MWV completed its first mission at the end of 2006 in St. Theresa’s Mission Hospital, Ibenga

The hospital has developed from a centre for TB patients, which was opened in 1960. It is a Roman Catholic hospital managed by the international congregation of the Franciscan Sisters (from Assisi, Italy) and is the responsibility of the bishopric.
The hospital is a district hospital (hence a first-line hospital) integrated into the national health care system.

 

Results of the missions.

It appeared after the first orthopaedic mission that it was not an easy task for the local partner to organise itself effectively in order to co-operate with, and acknowledge, the MWV team, despite the clear agreements made in advance. MWV obtained the finance required for the completion of a full orthopaedic centre through a special fund. Problems during the transfer of the money led to the postponement of the missions: the orthopaedic unit could not be fully utilised until the local creditors had been paid. In the autumn of 2007, this situation was resolved and an orthopaedic team could set off. Further orthopaedic support is planned for 2008, especially the requirement for orthopaedic pathology. The local partner has also requested urology support, but this will depend, amongst other things, on the feedback from our teams when they return.

As a follow up on the assessment mission in the spring of 2006, consultation with the local partner, and the feedback from the returning teams, we will continue to concentrate on orthopaedic surgery and basic care whereby we, depending on the advice given by the teams and the local partner, may replace one of the two surgical missions in 2009 and 2010 with urology. These missions will still be maintained with nurses who will be responsible for post-operative care, the functioning and organisation of the operating theatre, and general nursing care. In 2010, we are planning to have at least 2 orthopaedic missions.

Missions in this hospital

Active missions in St Theresa’s Mission Hospital, Ibenga

Past missions inSt Theresa’s Mission Hospital, Ibenga