Kiwoko Hospital was born in 1987 when Dr Ian Clarke, a young GP from Northern Ireland, visited the Luweero triangle area in Uganda - a place that had become notorious around the world as a scene of devastation and genocide during several years of civil war.
He was deeply moved by the need within the local community and felt called by God to go and help. Some months later, Ian moved out, accompanied by his wife and 3 young children, and began working with the Church of Uganda parish priest Rev Livingstone and other local people to develop the much-needed medical care for the area. Read the whole remarkable story in Ian’s book The Man With the Key Has Gone.
As the medical work has expanded, so buildings have been established to support it, with the first clinic being opened in 1991. The Centre is located in the midst of a sizeable rural area and serving a population of 800,000 people, most of whom are subsistence farmers and pastoralists.
In 2016 Kiwoko Hospital celebrated its 25 year anniversary. A time to reflect on just how much had been accomplished:
- Over 1 million patients treated at the hospital
- Over 5000 health workers trained - nurses, midwives, lab assistants
- Over 10,000 babies immunised
And many people have been changed for the better through a personal encounter with Jesus through the hospital.
From its inception the hospital has functioned as a partnership between local people and supporters from many nations. Financial support and expertise from overseas has been, and still is, vital to the success of the enterprise, but the local hospital staff and community workers have made Kiwoko Hospital what it is today, as the following video clearly illustrates:
What of the Future?
The current Medical Director is Dr Peter Serwadda. A member of the hospital medical staff for 20 years, Dr Peter brings wisdom and experience to the role. This time of change makes the theme for the 25th anniversary, celebrated recently, particularly appropriate;
Thanking God for the Past,
Trusting Him for the Future.
God has proved Himself faithful during the past 25 years, and we know that He will remain faithful as we journey into the future as a community of faith.
