Statistics

The total number of patients coming to the Hospital for treatment in 2009 was almost 31 500, a welcome decrease from 2008 when we had almost 42 000, and 2007 when we saw an overwhelming 48,000 patients. An explanation for this decrease is that the Malaria programs, and preventive measures have had an effect in the area. The number of patients treated for Malaria and TB have decreased drastically over the last 2 years compared to 2007. 70% of the patients suffering from TB also suffer from HIV/AIDS.

In 2008 the hospital had more inpatients and more bed days compared to 2007. It has decreased somewhat in 2009 but the pressure on the hospital staff is still very high and it is a challenge to help patience with the care giver to patient ratios we have.

We anticipate that the pressure will continue and that the number of patients will rise as Mpongwe is an area that is growing. 300 new houses are planned in the area and there are plans to tar a rural road. 

Departments

The Hospital has the following Departments  

Programs – Prevention, Care and Treatment

• Malaria Program (mosquito nets, research for a new vaccine, education etc)
• TB program (testing, care, ward, prevention, education, research and methods for follow up)
• HIV/AIDS Clinic (testing, consultations, support, community education, home based care training etc)
• ART clinic (ARV drugs, support, nutritional supplements, consultations, support)

Wards for Inpatient Care

• Labor ward
• Maternity
• Children’s ward
• Female ward
• Men’s ward
• Malnutrition ward
• TB ward

 Outpatient Care

• Outpatient Department
• Mother Child Health (Ante natal, Post natal, Vaccinations, Family Planning,)

Other departments

• Theater (Surgery) – Minor theater and Operation theater
• Pharmacy
• Lab
• Blood Bank
• Kitchen
• Laundry
• Morgue Services
• X-ray
• Maintenance
• Security
• Administration

Staffing

All staff are Zambians except one Doctor (Congo) and one midwife (Germany).
The Hospital is understaffed and many have to put in extra hours. The current staff situation in 2009 is as follows:

• 2 Doctors
• 4 Clinical Officers
• 9 Para-medicals (4 lab, 2 pharmacist technologists, 1 dispenser, 1 physiotherapist, 1 radiographer)
• 26 Nurses and midwives*
• 8 Administration
• 52 Support staff 

Medical Staff Recruiting Challenges

A huge challenge for the hospital is to recruit staff for the hospital. Staffing need, according to Government recommendations based on our size is 5 doctors, 5 clinical officers and 50 nurses. Zambia has a severe lack of health care professionals and recruiting to Mpongwe is also difficult since it is so rural and also because we have lacked staff housing. As employers we have to supply accommodation for our staff. Since our housing has been limited we have to either build new housing or pay monthly housing allowances. By building new staff housing we can work toward improving this. Until then visiting doctors and nurses play a vital roll.

International Support Appreciated

A positive note has been the support of international doctors including Scandinavian Doctors Sweden, Rotary Doctors Sweden, visiting doctors from UK, and medical students from National University of Ireland in Galway, University of Zambia School of Medicine.

Scandinavian Doctors / Rotary Doctors have supplied the Hospital with many doctors in 6 week periods since 2006. This is much appreciated and has been a great help to the local staff.

Medical students from National University of Ireland in Galway have supported our work during the June – July period since 2007. In addition engineering students from the same University have built an outpatient clinic in 2008 that opened in April 2009 as well as a Neonatal Clinic in 2009. In addition we have been supported by medical students from Zambia, New Zealand, UK, Holland and Sweden, who come to do their practical internships with us. We appreciate their support very much.

Hospital Affiliations

Mpongwe Mission Hospital is part of the Government Health Organisation through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Church Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), where Mpongwe Mission Hospital and Mpongwe Baptist Association (MBA) are members.

CHAZ – Churches Health Association of Zambia

MMH is affiliated with CHAZ.

Churches Health Association of Zambia is dedicated to providing unity and dialogue between Christian aid organizations and government agencies in Zambia bringing practical health solutions to those in need, allowing them to live healthy and productive lives.

Although our organization works to meet the physical health concerns of those in need, our greater purpose is to meet their holistic needs through Christian love and care. Through providing human, material, and financial resources, we are able to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical means.

CHAZ represents and provides support to all Church administered health institutions in the country. There are 135 affiliates representing 16 different churches both Catholic and protestant, with a majority of them based in rural areas of Zambia. The membership is comprised of hospitals, health centres, faith based organizations and community based programs. Altogether, these institutions are responsible for over 50% of formal health services in the rural areas of Zambia and about 30% of health care in the country as a whole.

More about Hospital
Vision and Values,

Care Highlights,
Lives Impacted,
Financial Situation, Our Process of Development
Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, Reducing Child Mortality and Improving Maternal Health
Working here: Careers with us, Medical Volunteers