On December 23, 2024, St. Joseph Mibilizi Hospital received an official visit from the Minister of Health, Hon. Sabin Nsanzimana. This moment highlighted the hospital’s critical role in serving the rural community of Mibilizi, a region full of vitality yet beset by significant challenges.

Strategically located 23 kilometers south of Kamembe in the Rusizi District, St. Joseph Mibilizi Hospital serves an extensive population of approximately 315,962 people. It oversees 11 health centers spread across 18 Sectors in the District. For complex medical cases, patients often need to travel to Butare University Teaching Hospital (CHUB), 188 kilometers away, or even to Kigali, a staggering 320 kilometers distant. These lengthy journeys strain the finances and emotional well-being of already vulnerable families.

Comprehensive healthcare services

Despite its rural setting, the hospital offers a broad spectrum of clinical and support services. These include:

• Clinical care: Outpatient consultations, internal medicine, pediatrics, surgery, mental health care, physiotherapy, and support for individuals living with HIV.
• Administrative and logistical support: Efficient management teams ensure seamless operations.

Overcoming significant challenges

The hospital grapples with numerous challenges that hinder its operations:

Severe staffing shortages

• Only 5 doctors serve over 315,000 residents, equating to one doctor for every 63,000 people. To meet basic needs, at least 23 doctors are required.
• There are only 80 nurses instead of the 96 needed and just 10 midwives instead of 34, complicating maternal and neonatal care.

Outdated infrastructure and equipment

• The hospital buildings, dating back to the 1950s, no longer meet modern healthcare standards.
• A lack of specialized staff and equipment limits services such as dentistry, forcing patients to seek care elsewhere.

Logistical and security issues

• Inadequate transportation for staff commuting from Kamembe.
• Insufficient housing for employees in Mibilizi discourages recruitment and retention.
• Lack of proper fencing compromises the hospital’s security.

Promising innovations and partnerships

Despite these obstacles, St. Joseph Mibilizi Hospital is taking significant strides to address its challenges:

Infrastructure development
In collaboration with the Diocese of Speyer in Germany, the hospital has initiated major projects, including constructing a new maternity ward and launching a nursing school by September 2025.

Government and local support

• The Rusizi District is working on improving the road to the hospital, enhancing accessibility for both patients and personnel.

Community engagement
Regular training, evaluations, and health awareness campaigns promote preventive care and improve the overall quality of services.

Call to action

St. Joseph Mibilizi Hospital, under the ownership of the Diocese of Cyangugu, serves as a lifeline for thousands in Rusizi. However, transforming it into a model of rural healthcare requires support. The hospital appeals to donors, partners, and well-wishers to contribute to its mission of delivering compassionate care to all, regardless of background.

Your support can bring hope and healing to countless families in need. Together, we can make St. Joseph Mibilizi Hospital a cornerstone of rural health excellence in Rwanda.

Contacts for donations and support

Diocesan Curia

Email: diocesecyangugu@gmail.com

Phone: +250 788308810

St. Joseph Mibilizi Hospital

Email: hdmibilizi@gmail.com

Phone: +250 788 530 705 (Dr Raphael Uzabakiriho, Director General of Mibilizi Hospital)