We have received the latest information about the work of St Francis' Hospital in Katete, Zambia which St Mary's Church here in Dover is helping to support through USPG (Anglicans in World Mission). It has been decided our church would support at least one charity at home and one overseas.
The latest information is that St Francis' Hospital, the largest mission hospital in Zambia, is a local hospital for 230,000 people and a referral hospital for one million.
Many of the patients are suffering from tuberculosis (TB) with treatment provided at the hospital or local clinic. TB treatment lasts for eight months for adults and six months for children, although severe cases may need treating for up to a year.
"The prevalence of HIV/AIDS has led to a dramatic increase in the number of TB patients. In Zambia 16 per cent of the population is HIV positive and 60 to 70 per cent of our patients are living with HIV/AIDS," registered nurse Joseph Zulu tells us.
*The hospital urgently needs more doctors, to serve ideally for one or two years but even three months would be helpful. If you know anyone interested, please contact me.
Terry Sutton
