Mukinge
Hospital
Zambia, Africa
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
Mukinge Mission Hospital, located in the Northwestern Province of Zambia in the Kasempa district, was founded by Dr. Bob Foster in the early 1950s. This rural hospital serves approximately 100,000 people in the Kasempa and Mufumbwe districts. Zambia is a sub-tropical country with three distinct seasons: a cool and dry season from May to July, a hot and dry season from August to November, and a rainy season from December to April.Mukinge Mission Hospital is a 200-bed referral facility with seven inpatient wards, including general medical/surgical (male and female), maternity, pediatrics, isolation, TB, and malnutrition wards. The hospital also operates a busy outpatient department, serving 160-180 patients daily. Outpatient services include general care clinics, well-child care, antenatal care, family planning, tuberculosis, nutrition, surgery, ophthalmology, and STD clinics. Additional departments include physical therapy, pharmacy, and community services.
Technology & Capacity:
The hospital is equipped with two operating theaters, a stationary X-ray machine, basic ultrasonography, and a clinical laboratory capable of haematology, culture and sensitivities, serology for HIV, chemistry, CD4 count, and other basic tests. The physical therapy department offers whirlpool therapy, plaster casting, rehabilitation, prosthesis, and leprosy follow-up. The hospital has a pharmacy with basic drug supplies and a full-time HIV/AIDS services program funded by the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ).
Church and Governance:
Mukinge Mission Hospital is owned by the Evangelical Church in Zambia and affiliated with CHAZ. It operates under the management of the Mukinge Hospital Management Board, which serves as both a management and advisory committee. The hospital is supported by both church-based and government-based grants.
Training Opportunities:
The hospital has a Registered Nurse Training School that offers a three-year diploma program in nursing. The training school has produced over 700 graduates who work throughout Zambia and beyond. Visiting medical professionals have opportunities to engage in teaching and training local staff and students.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Anesthesia
Pediatrics
Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine
General Surgery
Language:
English is the official language and is routinely spoken in the hospital. Staff can interpret for local patients who may not know English. The local language is Kaonde.
Housing & Food:
Accommodation options include hospital guesthouses with amenities such as electricity and running water. Visitors are expected to prepare their own meals, and should bring a means of water purification, such as a water filter. There are also basic dining facilities available for a nominal cost.
Travel:
Visitors typically fly into the capital city of Lusaka and then take a two-hour mission flight to Mukinge. It is advisable to coordinate transportation with other visitors to reduce costs.
Time Difference:
Zambia operates on Central Africa Time, which is UTC+2 hours.
People and Local Religion:
The local population consists primarily of the Kaonde tribe, who live in small homesteads and practice Christianity. Traditional beliefs are still prevalent in the region. The staple diet includes maize, supplemented with peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables.
Climate:
The region experiences three main seasons: a cool and dry season from May to July, a hot and dry season from August to November, and a rainy season from December to April. Temperatures range from 30°F to 90°F depending on the season.
Unique Challenges:
Common health issues include malaria, tuberculosis, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, HIV/AIDS, rheumatic heart disease, and diabetes mellitus type 2. The hospital also addresses obstetrical emergencies, including obstructed labor and septic abortion. Cervical cancer is a significant health concern in the region.
Evangelism Opportunities:
Mukinge Mission Hospital places a strong emphasis on spiritual ministry, with two full-time hospital chaplains providing spiritual outreach to both inpatients and outpatients. The hospital is committed to spreading the Gospel through medical care and community services.
For further details, visit the Mukinge Hospital website.