PCEA Chogoria
Hospital
Kenya, Africa
Origin Story & Hospital Summary:
PCEA Chogoria Hospital was established in 1922 by Dr. Clive Irvine, a Scottish medical missionary, with a mission to integrate preaching, healing, and teaching. Initially managed by the Church of Scotland, the hospital's administration was handed over to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) in 1956. The hospital was rebuilt in the 1970s and currently serves as the principal healthcare provider in the Tharaka-Nithi District., Today, PCEA Chogoria Hospital is a 295-bed facility offering a wide range of medical services including general medical, surgical, pediatric, and maternity care. The hospital also houses a small nursery, a private ward, a casualty department, an eye unit, and a physiotherapy department. Additional facilities include a laboratory, a pharmacy, and a modern four-room dental building. On any given day, the hospital serves approximately 250-300 outpatients, totaling around 80,000 outpatient visits annually. In addition to inpatient and outpatient services, the hospital is heavily involved in community health initiatives, particularly in tuberculosis and HIV care.
Technology & Capacity:
PCEA Chogoria Hospital is equipped with modern medical technology including radiology services (plain films, ultrasound, and CT), an operating theatre, and laboratory facilities. The hospital’s dental department is well-equipped with a modern dental building. The hospital performs numerous surgeries and has a well-structured casualty department for emergency care.
Church and Governance:
The hospital is managed by the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), with a mission to provide holistic healthcare that includes preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services. The governance model emphasizes community health and the integration of medical care with spiritual and community support.
Training Opportunities:
PCEA Chogoria Hospital offers extensive training programs, including a family practice residency in partnership with Kabarak University. The hospital also hosts medical, nursing, and midwifery students for clinical rotations, providing a robust teaching environment. Long-term volunteers often serve as faculty, contributing to the training and development of local healthcare professionals.
Medical and Support Staff Needs:
General Surgery
Family Practice
Anesthesia
OB/GYN
Nursing Clinical Educators
Nursing School Faculty
Language:
The Meru and Tharaka peoples speak Kimeru and Kitharaka, respectively. However, both English and Swahili are widely spoken throughout Kenya, and all medical records and charting are done in English. Translators are available for visiting physicians.
Housing & Food:
Volunteers are housed in guesthouses or apartments on the hospital compound. These accommodations typically include living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and 2-3 bedrooms, with amenities such as running water, refrigeration, electricity, and gas/electric cooking facilities. Meals can be provided at the guesthouse for a small fee, but volunteers are also able to prepare their own meals using the kitchen facilities. Basic food items are available locally, while more specialized items can be purchased in Nairobi or Meru.
Travel:
Visitors can enter Kenya by flying into Nairobi and then driving 3-4 hours to Chogoria. The hospital is situated on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, approximately 200 kilometers northeast of Nairobi. The area is well-served by public transportation and communication infrastructure.
Time Difference:
+7 hours daylight saving time; +8 hours Eastern Standard Time.
People and Local Religion:
The population served by PCEA Chogoria Hospital includes the Meru and Tharaka peoples, each with their own dialects and customs. The region has a Presbyterian foundation, but many other denominations are also present. The population relies heavily on subsistence farming.
Climate:
Chogoria has a temperate climate at an elevation of 5,000 feet. The region experiences rains from March to May and again from October to December. The weather is warm in June, cool and dull in July and August, and warm again in September and October. Daytime temperatures can reach the 80s, while nighttime temperatures can drop to the 50s, especially in August, the coolest month.
Unique Challenges:
Common health issues include infectious diseases, hypertension, diabetes, pneumonia, asthma, gastric and esophageal cancers, trauma from traffic accidents, gastroenteritis, HIV, and tuberculosis. The hospital also addresses community health challenges such as unreliable drinking water during the dry seasons.
Evangelism Opportunities:
PCEA Chogoria Hospital integrates medical care with spiritual outreach, providing holistic healthcare while sharing the gospel. The hospital hosts both long-term and short-term mission trips, offering volunteers the opportunity to engage in medical service and evangelism, contributing to the hospital’s mission of bringing health and spiritual care to the community.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit PCEA Chogoria Hospital.