St. Francis Designated District Hospital
St. Francis Hospital stands on firm foundations today. It still belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mahenge, as it always has. But it has since assumed the functions of a public district hospital, in response to a demand from the government, which helps to finance it. However, public financing covers all recurrent costs and the diocese is responsible for capital investments.
The hospital has the capacity to handle 370 permanent patients; 600 adults per day are given outpatient treatment, while the paediatric ward in a neighbouring building treats 300 children daily. As direct access to the clinic, which has only one ambulance, is too difficult for many sick people, 4 district Health Centres play a major role in providing basic health care. Three of these also have their own small laboratories.
The leading cause of death is HIV/AIDS. Malaria (above all in children under the age of 5) and tuberculosis also frequently occur at above-average rates. The hospital, which serves approximately 450,000 people living in the region, employs a staff of 400; 17 are doctors and medical officers capable of performing many physicians’ functions.
*10/01/07* THE 2ND CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RURAL SURGERY will be held in Ifakara this year on the 27th of September. Participants can obtain the information brochure here >> and the registration form here >>
