Many of you will know of my connections with Kiwoko Hospital, Uganda, where I worked during 2007, and visit frequently.

The hospital is situated 80km north of Kampala, and serves a rural population of approximately 500,000, in the region known as the Luwero Triangle made infamous during the 1981-86 civil war when approximately 1/3 of the population was killed. Most of the local people are subsistence farmers, and poverty has been on the increase as the price for cash crops falls. The healthcare at Kiwoko began in 1988 when Dr Ian Clarke, an Irish GP, came to work here. From clinics held under a tree, and then in the local church vestry, a health centre and then a hospital were built. The hospital now has 250 beds on 7 wards – male and female (medical and surgical), paediatric, nutrition, TB, maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care. It has a twin theatre suite that is well equipped by Ugandan standards. It also has a nationally recognised Nurse and Laboratory Training School. The hospital functions on a budget of only £600,000 per year. It is a Christian hospital that serves the needs of the local and extended community. Although patients have to pay for their treatment, no one in need is turned away – a “Good Samaritan Fund” pays for them. However in reality, only 30% of the funding comes from patient fees, with 10% from the government, while 60% comes from outside agencies.

If you've read my blog (www.kiwokosteve.blogspot.com), you'll see what an impact working there has had on me. Its an amazing place, directly sharing God's love with the local community in a very practical way, and making a real difference in the health of the Uganda people.

As part of my next visit, I'm to be the Guest Of Honour at the 2010 Kiwoko Chase, a 16km run in the local African Bush, to raise awareness of the hospital and encourage fundraising. Any money that I raise will go directly to the hospital, some to help finance the work of the hospital itself, and some to the Good Samaritan fund to help the poorest patients.

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