Hospital Misionero Nkhoma

Over a period of 97 years, the hospital has developed from a single missionary doctor who did a course in tropical medicine, into a reasonably well-equipped 250-bed facility. It has pediatrics, surgical, general male and female wards with isolation rooms, tuberculosis, maternity and private wards, a labor room, two general theatres, outpatient department, family health clinic, ARV-clinic and supportive departments (physiotherapy, pharmacy, administration). There is also an ophthalmic department with ophthalmic theatre. Its primary catchment area is the surrounding rural community of 64,000 people; however, it serves patients from all over Malawi as well as from neighboring countries. It offers in- and outpatient care locally and conducts mobile clinics in its catchment area. Yearly 53,000 outpatient are seen, 19,000 people are admitted, 1,700 people are operated on in the general theatre, 2,500 ophthalmic operations are done and 3,000 deliveries are conducted. Some operations are of a specialist nature (e.g. Vesicovaginal Fistula repair, cataract removal and lens implantation); provision of these services lightens the workload of the nearest referral hospital (Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe).

The Health Department supervises governmental and non-governmental Health Centers within its catchment area (nine in total) and CCAP Health Centers throughout the Central Region of Malawi (10 in total). The hospital has negotiated a service agreement with the District Health Office (DHO) of Lilongwe. This enables the surrounding community to access obstetrical and five other services free of charge with the government paying for the expenses. It has built a reputation of offering good quality care and draws patients from all over Malawi and neighboring countries.