St. Albert’s Mission Hospital, Centenary, Zimbabwe, is 140-bed hospital founded in 1964 by the Jesuit Fathers. The hospital is overseen by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe. St. Albert’s has [number] doctors who serve a district population of 135,000. St. Albert’s is a referral centre for 14 rural health centres.
Dr. Julia Musariri, MD, Medical Superintendent, is hospital director.
Dr. Julia Musariri, Medical Superintendent, St. Albert’s Mission Hospital
Dr. Musariri is also:
The diocesan Health-Care Coodinator
A Board Member of the Zimbabwe National Aids Council.
St. Albert’s Hospital Staff
Five doctors
Eight midwives
One state-certified nurse
46 registered general nurses
19 primary care nurses
14 nurse aides
Ambulance
St. Albert’s has one ambulance to serve the district population of 135,000.
Patient Population
Most people in the area are subsistence farmers who are often unable to pay the hospital for the full cost of medical care.
Many patients come from remote and depressed areas, including the Zambezi Valley, where temperatures can rise above 40°C (104°F) and mosquitoes and malaria are common.
Patients also trek across the Zambezi Valley from Mozambique and arrive from other areas of Zimbabwe.
Yearly figures for patient care at St. Albert’s Mission Hospital
Inpatient admissions: 4,500
Outpatient cases: 25,000
Number of babies delivered: 2,600
Commonly treated medical conditions include complicated malarias, upper respiratory infections, tuberculosis, pneumonia, burns, work-related injuries, diarrhea, and serious skin and eye conditions.
St. Albert’s hospital is part of St. Albert’s Mission, a Catholic Mission that includes a church, rectory, a primary school (1,200 students), a secondary boarding school (900 students), and housing for hospital, church staff, school and domestic staff and their family members.
Achievements at St. Albert’s Mission Hospital
Through innovative ideas, and by working with the MOH and with international partners, St. Albert’s Mission Hospital has achieved a number of successes.
The hospital’s cancer prevention program has provided cervical screening to identify and in most cases, treat, women at risk for cervical cancer since August 2013. Breast exams are also conducted, along with and outreach screenings and community education in cancer prevention.
Incorporated renewable energy where possible:
Solar power is used throughout the hospital wards.
A solar water pump keeps water flowing to the hospital during regional power outages.
An underground biogas generator provides gas to the hospital kitchen for cooking.
The hospital’s medical records have been moved to a new location offsite. The vacated room will accommodate other hospital officials.
Projects developed to help sustain the hospital and to assist the community, when possible
Water project: Provides clean, safe drinking water for patients and hospital staff.
Poultry project: Eggs are sold and the funds used to help meet hospital needs.
Fish project: A source of protein for the hospital and community.
Goat project: A source of meat protein for hospital patients and the community.
