Katondwe is a large village in the bush of eastern Zambia, in the valley of the Luangwa River. Most houses are simple clay huts, without running water or a stable electricity supply. The 41,000 inhabitants of the region live mainly from growing maize and fishing. The latter, however, can be deadly. A moment of inattention by the river is enough for a crocodile to emerge from the water or for one to drift too close to a herd of hippos.

For over 60 years, in the very heart of this reality, the Mission Hospital of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Katondwe has been operating. It is the only hospital in the entire Luangwa district and, for thousands of people, the only real chance of survival. It is run by the Sisters of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculately Conceived. Women after complicated births, children with malaria and severe anemia, victims of road accidents or wild animal attacks, and patients requiring urgent surgery all come to the hospital. They arrive on foot, by bicycle, on makeshift stretchers, and sometimes even cross the river from Mozambique or Zimbabwe.

A woman from Mozambique was admitted whose arm had been nearly severed by a crocodile. The wound was heavily infected, and her condition was critical. During treatment, it was also discovered that she was carrying twins. Thanks to two months of intensive therapy, we were able to save her life and preserve about 50% functionality of her arm. The woman returned home, awaiting the birth of her children,

- says Sister Krystyna Matusz ABMV, a missionary from Zambia.

The Sisters, in addition to managing the hospital, also work as nurses, anesthetists, and radiologic technologists. The director is Sister Mirosława Góra ABMV, a surgeon, who for 30 years was the only doctor in the district. Today she is supported by three specialists. Yet it is still not enough. Only 35% of the necessary medical positions are filled at the hospital, and government support for the facility amounts to about 12,000 PLN per month. Despite this, this small medical team helps nearly six thousand patients each year and provides around 15,000 outpatient consultations.

With around a thousand births annually, this is truly the heartbeat of the entire district. The new neonatal unit receives all complicated cases – hemorrhages, premature births, and infections.

One patient was admitted to the hospital in the eighth month of pregnancy with bleeding and severe abdominal pain. An ultrasound revealed placental abruption – a life-threatening condition for the baby. By means of a cesarean section, a very small baby boy was born. He spent about a month in the unit – kept warm, fed, and closely monitored. When he reached a weight of two kilograms and began to feed on his own, he was able to go home.

A small bell hangs in the neonatal ward. It rings only when a child who has fought for life goes home healthy. Its sound announces victory. It is a hymn of gratitude to the doctors, nurses, parents, and above all to the child itself, who has won its first and most difficult battle.

The hospital, which initially had only 20 beds, now has 100. In addition, it includes an operating theater, a maternity ward, a neonatal unit, a laboratory, X-ray, and ultrasound facilities. Unfortunately, the existing laboratory has not been expanded in proportion to the growth of the entire facility. Today, the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities do not keep pace with the real needs of patients. There is a lack of space, modern equipment, and suitable conditions for conducting specialized tests. Safety concerns are particularly alarming.

At present, there is no separate room for tuberculosis testing, which poses a serious risk of infection for both staff and patients. Without a new laboratory, it is difficult to ensure an adequate level of protection,

- explains Sister Krystyna.

The construction of a new laboratory is an investment of 350,000 PLN. Let us join in this mission and support the mission hospital in Zambia so that the sound of the bell announcing the victory of life may ring there as often as possible.

How to Donate

You can support our project by making a bank transfer to the following accounts:

For $: PL 52 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0009; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For €: PL 41 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0013; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
For others: IBAN: PL 79 1600 1462 1847 3641 5000 0008; SWIFT: PPAB PLPK
Reference: Mission Hospital in Zambia