This is a private non profit making (charitable) Mission Hospital run by Camillian religious (SERVANTS OF THE SICK) within Homa- Bay Diocese.
Background Information
The St. Camillus Mission Hospital was founded in 1997 by the religious congregation of the Servants of the Sick (Camillians) with the aim of caring for the sick poor and underprivileged people in Kenya. The facility is located on the southern banks of Lake Victoria, in Karungu, in the Migori province of the Nyanza region. The hospital is run both my religious and lay staff committed to the ministry of caring for the needy. In fact, we target those people who are in real need of treatment and health services. The area is highly affected by AIDS where many people have been directly contaminated by the virus or are suffering from its indirect consequences. The aspiration of all those working at the hospital is to provide the sick with tender loving care, with words and with actions, and this is sometimes done at the risk of their own lives.
Our Vision
Imagine a healthy society where the marginalized, namely the sick, the poor, the widows, the elderly, the orphans and the people living with AIDS, directly or indirectly, are accepted, restored to health and assisted in alleviating their pain and suffering. Our vision means that we have to make an effort to provide access to quality health services and to encourage the community to adopt behaviour patterns that will be conducive to the maintenance of good health and a life of dignity.
Our Mission
As Camillians, we place the human being at the centre of our daily activities. All men and women are God’s children and hence the dignity of every single individual is an inalienable right, as is the right to life and to health. At the St. Camillus Hospital, we are committed, day after day, to satisfy the needs of the sick, especially of the most indigent. Our mission is to show unconditional love to those who are suffering by offering them attention, solidarity and hope, in addition to an appropriate medical treatment. The AIDS patients are received and treated by competent and motivated staff who work to alleviate their pain and help them fight against the discrimination of which these patients are victims within their community. We put ourselves at the service of the last, as instructed by Jesus Christ, without distinction of sex, age, ethnic group and religion, because everyone has a right to be the subject of our respect and dedication. According to the teachings of our founder, St. Camillus de Lellis, we do our utmost, day in day out, to “put more heart in our hands.”
Health Advisory Committee
This is a committee whose objective is to cater for Health care programmes between the Hospital and the community.
Groups
HOPE & LIFE: It is a group of people living with HIV virus. It was initiated in May 2003 with members of St. Camillus M. Hospital – Karungu. The purpose of the group is to create and sustain a network of people living with HIV/AIDS by fostering mutual aid.
AWAKE: This is a group of people teaming together to foster the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS along the Lake Victoria region. It was initiated in May 2003 by the St. Camillus Hospital members to promote understanding, knowledge and raising awareness on HIV/AIDS, thus develop quality of life.
VCT CENTRE: Opened its doors to the public in January 2006. Our overall goal is to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, by helping individuals and couples assess their HIV risk behaviour by developing a risk reduction strategy after undergoing a HIV test.
The History
1993
- St. Camillus Mission Hospital project started when the Camillian Community moved to Karungu and bought land at Rabuor Village with the intention to build an health institution.
- While the excavation of the foundation trenches for stores, workshop and religious house was started, a small dispensary has been opened at Kiranda Mission.
1994
- The stores, workshop and religious house came to be completed.
- The General Superior of the Camillians Very Rev. Fr. Angelo Brusco did the blessing and the opening of the religious house on 1st May.
- The excavation job of the hospital started. Most Rev. Linus Okok Bishop of Homa-Bay blessed the foundation in December.
1995
- January: beginning of job for the foundation of an 8 flats staff house.
1996
- In February the Dispensary was moved from Kiranda Mission to the newly finished staff house.
- The construction of a two flats Doctor’s house and a volunteers’ house started.
1997
- The job for the Isolation complex wards resumed.
- On 14 July was done a partial opening of the Hospital building, which composed of O.P.D. Department, Pharmacy, Laboratory and 25 beds as a general ward.
- The administration offices, laundry and sewing room were completed while Paediatric ward and some other rooms for patients were opened.
- Labour ward, Delivery room and Incubators room became completed.
- Due to an outbreak of cholera, we opted to use the X-ray Department area as a small temporary Isolation ward, in this way the bed capacity reached 75.
1998
- Operating Room Department was completed to handle both minor and major operations.
- Children’s welfare and Antenatal Clinic, as well as the Ultra-sound and E.C.G services became launched.
- On 29th May, His Excellency Mons Giovanni Tonnuci, Apostle Nuncio in Kenya inaugurated the Hospital and the District Commissioner Mr. Kirui did the official opening.
- A new 8 flat staff storey house was started as well as the main road crossing the hospital compound.
1999:
- The Solar panel for supply of hot water regularly to the patients and staff was installed. On the other hand the National Hospital Insurance Fund (N. H. I. F.) Board approved our Hospital.
- The storey staff house was completed. The X-ray Department started functioning. The TV Network from Italy, TMC and Telepace film presented Programmes of the Hospital.
2000
- Completion of the new medical ward with necessary facilities in the rooms.
- The installation of security lights and flowers planted a long side the avenue.
- Also the inauguration of the new medical ward by the General Father accompanied by all the Camillian Provincial Superiors all over the world in the occasion of their meeting in Kenya. The installation of the statue of Saint Camillus; to bless the sick here in the hospital.
- The construction of a new 4 staff flat has been started.
2001
- The building of the new 4 flat houses has been completed to accommodate staff.
- Another 4 flat staff houses building project is started.
- The construction of the Hospital mortuary and clinic is going on at a good level.
2002
- The 4 Staff flat is finished.
- As well new building where we accommodate Dentist, Orthoptist, Pastoral and counsellors, Clinics, Hope & Life and Awake group.
2003
- In January our Mortuary with cold rooms becomes operational.
- A new entry gate to the mortuary as well opened.
- A new cemetery to burry the still-births from our hospital constructed.
- In April the PMTCT (prevention of mother to child transmission) start functioning.
- In May the twins project: Hope and Life (PLWHA), Awake groups for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS offices start to work with six members of staff.
- Improvement of laboratory with new Haematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter) machine.
2004
- Construction of 10 watchmen houses is completed in the staff quarters.
- Laboratory if furnished with a CD4 FACSCOUNT SYSTEM machine for HIV/AIDS patients ARV distribution project funded by US government through CRSC begins to operate in the hospital in August
2005
- Cement pavement outside the main hospital building Cover the roof of the last section of clinic building
2006
- Complete building for ART, VCT and Rehabilitation centre
2007
- Completion and equipping of the Physiotherapy and rehabilitation unit
- The hospital was equipped with a new sterilising machine.
2008
- Construction of the new Maternity wing and delivery room with the contribution of Italian Government (MAE).
2009
- Continued construction of the Maternity wing and delivery room with contribution of Italian Government.
2010
- Completion and official opening of the maternity wing, delivery room and Operating Room.
2011
- Cashiers office and OPD moved to more spacious rooms
- Dental unit is furnished with a new dental chair
- The Operating Room was furnished with a dermatome blade for skin grafting. The radiography department is furnished with a new ultrasound machine The hospital gets a new generator
2012
- Laboratory was furnished with an electronic weighing balance, a roller mixer, an Autoclave machine and a urine strip reader.
- Our Operating Room/Maternity was furnished with 2 incubators
- The X-ray department was furnished with a new X-ray processing machine.
2013
- The Ultrasound unit was furnished with cardiologic probes for diagnosing heart conditions in patients
2014
- The Hospital theatre was equipped with a new sterilizer machine
- The Hospital installed a 40Kw battery Bank to reduce energy dependence and running costs of the Generator power. The System provides power to all lights from 7pm to 6 am, thus eliminating use of the Generator at this time thus providing sufficient power for night time use and for Office equipment and some critical medical equipment.
2015:
- In June a new machine, Chemistry Analyzer for hematology tests was purchased for the Hospital laboratory.
- 5 New computers and a photocopier for the Administrative offices were purchased.
2016
- For the laboratory, the following items were purchased. New Dry Chemistry analyser machine (Fuji Dri-chem NX 500i), Water distiller and Microscope.
- New Delivery bed for the delivery ward and assorted surgical instruments for theatre
- 2 new sewing machines for our laundry
