Uganda's Second Oldest Missionary Hospital Marks 100 Years

Vice President Jessica Alupo has commended the management and staff of Ngora Freda Carr Hospital (NFCH) in Ngora district for their relentless effort to save people’s lives as the health facility marked 100 years of existence.

The celebrations were held Sunday at Kobuku village, Ngora district.

NFCH was set up in 1922 by missionaries, becoming the second after Mengo Hospital which was built in 1897.

Alupo said that she was grateful to the management, especially Bishop of Kumi Diocese Rt. Rev Michael Okwii Esakhan, hospital staff and development partners of the  Hospital for their medical evangelism extending God’s healing hand to the people. 

"I want to thank you categorically for the pace and direction into which you're taking the Diocese, since you were consecrated as Bishop of Kumi Diocese," the vice president said.

"You have taken the direction of working together, promoting unity and encouraging dialogue among Christians. I will support you and I ask all Christians to support you in this pace and direction as you foster development in the Diocese." 

Alupo emphasized that it was important for Christians to learn to work together adding that when people do so, they work better, and faster in achieving social economic transformation.

Alupo thanked Ernest Carr, who hatched the vision of constructing NFCH in memory and honour of his beloved daughter Freda Carr, who died of Malaria in Nairobi hospital Kenya after contracting Malaria in Ngora district. 

In honour of Freda, the hospital unveiled a monument to mark a memory of the health care ministry of "Glory, Gloom and Glow."

Alupo handed over sh20m to support the hospital in its development ventures.

Alupo used the same occasion to rally people to embrace government programmes like Parish Development Model, UPE, and USE to ensure the social-economic transformation of their communities but especially raise household incomes. 

The vice president assured residents that government will continue to ensure peace and security and urged them to do their activities without any fear.

"I encourage citrus fruit farmers to continue planting because the government is going to expand the fruit factory in Soroti which will consume all the fruits," she said.

Government has earmarked Shs42 billion for expansion of the factory.
 
She reminded parents to take good care of their children as holidays are underway.

"Children are coming back from school. I encourage you to safeguard our children, especially the girl child because they're the future of tomorrow," she noted.

The Rt. Rev Esakhan thanked the people who mooted the idea of marking the 100years celebration of NFCH for the great service to the people.

He however noted that when  NFCH was blossoming, had a number of consultants, surgeons and interns and a thriving nursing and midwifery training school from which many people benefitted immensely.

He said the hospital is in dire need of at least four consultants (surgeons), paediatricians (children's diseases specialists), general surgeons, gynaecologists and a specialist in adult medicare (physician).

The bishop explained that the availability of the said consultants would attract interns and increase their areas of healthcare service delivery and bring services closer to the people at affordable costs.

He appealed to the vice president to kindly convey his message and appeal to his Excellency the president and ministry of health for the secondment of the above-stated and critically needed medical consultants and surgeons.

Bishop Esakhan launched a five-year strategic development plan and gifted the hospital with a modern St. Luke's Chapel, a modern neo-natal unit, and a monument in memory of Freda Carr.

He appealed for resources to rebuild, rebrand and revive NFCH for the people. 

Representing the Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kazimba, the Bishop of Mbale Diocese Rt. Rev. John Wilson Nandaah congratulated NFCH for 100 years of uninterrupted existing health care service.

The bishop also used the celebrations to urge Ugandans to live and walk in the kingdom of God because heaven begins on planet Earth.

Nandaah also encouraged youths to embrace government development programs like the Parish Development Model by forming groups or Saccos to tap into the available financial resources.