Hospital of
Hope
Togo, Africa
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Hospital of Hope (HoH), also known as Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital, was established in March 2015 by the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE). Located in the town of Mango in northern Togo, the hospital was built to address the critical healthcare needs of a region characterized by limited access to medical services. The hospital serves patients from Togo and neighboring countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, and Nigeria, HoH is a 66-bed facility offering a wide range of medical, surgical, and acute care services. The hospital includes male and female wards, a maternity ward, a pediatric ward, a neonatal intensive care unit, isolation rooms, and infectious wards. Additionally, the hospital features a surgical unit with three fully equipped operating rooms, a minor surgery/treatment room, a recovery room, and a comprehensive laboratory with X-ray and ultrasound capabilities. Annually, HoH treats over 2,500 inpatients and performs approximately 1,000 surgical procedures. The outpatient clinic, open four days a week, sees 100-150 patients daily.
Technology & Capacity:
HoH is equipped with modern medical technology, including digital X-ray imaging, ultrasound, and a full laboratory capable of performing a wide range of tests such as CBC, electrolytes, HIV testing, malaria, and urinalysis. The hospital also features a mobile ultrasound machine and provides regional, spinal, and general anesthesia for surgeries. The hospital's pharmacy is well-stocked, and the facility is designed to handle both scheduled and emergency surgeries 24/7.
Church and Governance:
The hospital is managed by ABWE, emphasizing holistic healthcare that integrates medical care with spiritual outreach. The governance structure includes a strong chaplaincy program with both missionaries and Togolese believers. The chaplaincy staff engages daily with patients and their families, offering prayer and spiritual counseling. Volunteers are encouraged to witness to patients, with sensitivity to the predominantly Muslim context.
Training Opportunities:
HoH offers training programs for various healthcare professionals, including CRNAs, emergency medicine, family medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, internal medicine, nurse practitioners, OB/GYN, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, pediatrics, physical therapy, and physician assistants. Registered nurses are required to serve for a minimum of six weeks and may need French language training for extended stays.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Family Medicine
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine
Neonatology
Nurse Practitioners
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Physician Assistants
Language:
French is the official language of Togo, and it is necessary for patient interaction and medical charting. Most hospital staff speak some English, and translators are available for patient interactions.
Housing & Food:
Volunteers are accommodated in the hospital compound, which includes several guesthouses with basic amenities such as electricity, running water, and cooking facilities. Meals are provided at a reasonable cost, and the water on the compound is filtered for safety. Longer-term volunteers may stay in private homes on the compound.
Travel:
Volunteers can fly into Lomé, Togo, and then travel approximately 8 hours by car to Mango. Transportation from Lomé to the hospital is provided by the hospital’s logistics team.
Time Difference:
+4 hours daylight saving time; +5 hours Eastern Standard Time.
People and Local Religion:
Togo's population is composed of 37 tribal groups, with the Ewe, Mina, and Kabre tribes being the largest. The majority religion in the region is Islam (80%), followed by Animism (15%) and Christianity (5%).
Climate:
The climate in Mango is generally hot, with average high temperatures ranging from the upper 80s to the upper 120s. The rainy season lasts from May to October, while the dry season spans from November to April. The hottest period is from March to April, with temperatures reaching up to 120°F during the day.
Unique Challenges:
Common health issues treated at HoH include tropical diseases such as malaria, meningitis, and typhoid, as well as snake bites. The hospital also serves as a regional trauma center, handling various trauma cases.
Evangelism Opportunities:
HoH integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, ensuring that every patient hears the gospel. The hospital's chaplaincy program and daily patient interactions provide opportunities for spiritual counseling and evangelism. The hospital hosts both long-term and short-term medical mission trips, offering volunteers a chance to engage in medical service and evangelism. The mission includes training and mentoring local Christian healthcare professionals to serve their communities effectively.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit Hospital of Hope.