An incredible trek for medical care in one of the poorest areas of the world…
The Daughters of Charity are making a difference in the healthcare of thousands of people...
St Vincent the Servant General Reference Hospital, Lukolela, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
There are 8 Daughters of Charity who serve in Lukolela to staff the hospital, school and social services. Sister Mary Felice, missionary from the US since 18 yrs, Medical Director, and native Congolese Sisters, Sr Adrienne and Sr Yasmine, nurses, Sr Yvette, Director of the Pharmacy, Sr Christine, Director of Social Services.
The Daughters of Charity first came to Lukolela since 1933, and started a health center, but because of the lack of hospitals in the area it grew to be a General Reference Hospital, with 120 beds. (The photo to the left is from our new Emergency Room built in 2022 with donations.)
The hospital serves a health district which spans an area of 7000 miles squared, with a population of 180,805, but it is the only hospital for a much larger region. The hospital is located 91 miles from the nearest city. One must travel by boat because the roads are in very bad shape or nonexistent.
Patients often come from far, accompanied by family members (who often sleep on the floor). It is normal in rural African hospitals that patient’s families do the cooking, and laundry and help the patients with their hygiene. It is required that a member of the family be present with each patient at all times.
Our hospital has made much progress with your donations. We are currently finishing a new Internal Medicine building and we are looking to build a new Pediatrics building.
