Kijabe Mission
Hospital
Kenya, Africa
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Kijabe Mission Station was first established by missionaries from Africa Inland Mission (AIM) as an outpost in 1903. The initial medical facility, Theodora Hospital, was founded in 1915 to serve the local community. The present hospital complex, Kijabe Mission Hospital, began construction in 1961 and has grown to become a leading healthcare provider in Kenya, owned and operated by the Africa Inland Church (AIC)., Today, Kijabe Mission Hospital is a 363-bed facility offering a broad range of medical services, including general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, neonatal care, and rehabilitation. The hospital includes five inpatient wards, nine operating rooms, an outpatient clinic, a 24-hour casualty department, an eye clinic, and a full-service dental facility. Support services include a clinical laboratory, a fully equipped pathology department, X-ray, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and central medical supply. The hospital serves approximately 250-300 outpatients daily and performs over 200 operations each month.
Technology & Capacity:
Kijabe Mission Hospital is equipped with modern medical technology, including comprehensive laboratory services offering immunohematology, hematology, biochemistry, parasitology, urinalysis, bacteriology, and blood banking. The pathology department provides tissue diagnostic services to 37 mission hospitals in East Africa. The hospital's outpatient department provides specialty clinics in diabetes, orthopedics, rehabilitation, ophthalmology, tuberculosis, gynecology, high-risk pediatrics, and AIDS.
Church and Governance:
The hospital is managed by the Africa Inland Church (AIC) in collaboration with Africa Inland Mission (AIM). The governance structure emphasizes the integration of medical care with spiritual and community support, aligning with the mission to provide holistic healthcare. The hospital operates under a nonprofit model, striving to balance Kenyan and missionary consultants.
Training Opportunities:
Kijabe Mission Hospital is a preeminent teaching hospital in East Africa, offering residency programs in general surgery and family practice in partnership with Kabarak University and the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). The hospital also trains nurses, medical students, and clinical officers, providing a robust educational environment. Short-term volunteers are often needed and accepted based on facility needs and specialty.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
General Surgery
OB/GYN
Family Practice
Pediatrics
Pathology
Radiology
Dentistry/Orthodontics
Nursing (multiple specialties)
Language:
Swahili and English are the official languages of Kenya, with local tribal dialects also spoken. All medical staff are fluent in English, and nurses provide translation to Swahili or Kikuyu as needed. Medical records are maintained in English.
Housing & Food:
Volunteers are housed in modern, comfortable homes, duplexes, or apartments near the hospital, equipped with kitchen facilities, hot water, and electricity. The housing is simply furnished and secure. Daily housing costs cover utilities and maintenance. Volunteers are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals, with most basic food items available locally. Specialty items can be sourced from Nairobi.
Travel:
Visitors can fly into Nairobi and then drive approximately one hour to Kijabe. The hospital is situated on a steep, winding, narrow but paved road off the main Nairobi/Nakuru highway. The logistics team at the hospital assists with travel arrangements and provides orientation upon arrival.
Time Difference:
+7 hours daylight saving time; +8 hours Eastern Standard Time.
People and Local Religion:
The population served by Kijabe Mission Hospital primarily consists of the Kikuyu people, with an increasing number of Masai patients. The region is predominantly Christian (Protestant and Catholic), although some remote tribes practice animism and spirit worship. There are also smaller Muslim and Hindu communities.
Climate:
Kijabe, meaning "Place of the Winds" in the Masai language, experiences strong winds with generally pleasant days around 80°F and cool, windy nights around 55°F. The region has two rainy seasons from March to June and October to December, with the driest and hottest period from December to March.
Unique Challenges:
Common diagnoses include malaria, pneumonia, tuberculosis, tropical diseases, and AIDS. The hospital performs a wide range of surgeries, including C-sections, tubal ligations, exploratory laparotomies, skin grafts, prostatectomies, hysterectomies, fracture repairs, and cancer tumor removals. Kijabe Mission Hospital also runs Community Health Evangelism (CHE) and chaplaincy programs, addressing both physical and spiritual needs.
Evangelism Opportunities:
Kijabe Mission Hospital integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, ensuring that every patient hears the gospel. The hospital hosts both long-term and short-term medical mission trips, offering opportunities for volunteers to engage in medical service and evangelism. The hospital's mission includes mentoring and training local Christian physicians and healthcare professionals to serve in their own communities.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit Kijabe Mission Hospital.