The people of Kasiya and surrounding areas have been accessing health services at Kasiya Rural health Centre (KRHC). However the services offered by KRHC were limited to primary health care. This made the clinic to have several referral cases to mostly Monze mission hospital and Pemba main. This came with some notable challenges, among them distances between Kasiya and referral facilities, transport costs, and delayed movements of patients.
As Spiritan priests serving at Kasiya parish were involved in the building of the maternity annex at KRHC (as stakeholders) and in some cases providing means of transporting patients, they took keen interest in the health care services offered at KRHC. By then, the Spiritans had established a partnership with the Women’s Bible Study group of USA and other partners. Hence the Spiritans thought of establishing a conducive facility that would respond to the health needs of the people. This was also in line with the general animation programmes that were going on in the Congregation, a call to re-evaluate Spiritan missionary commitments and prioritise in a creative way the tasks that would respond to the signs of the times. The General Council of the congregation mandated all Spiritan groups in the world to identify new initiatives in line with our charism, thus taking action in favour of justice and integral human development.
From here, the idea of constructing Kasiya Mission Hospital (KMH) was born, animated by Fr. Malambo Mbulo CSSp in collaboration with Fr. Deogratius Sungancito, CSSp. Communication to the diocese was made but with the tragic death of Bishop Moses Hamungole, we had to wait till the Apostolic Administrator was appointed and communication was done to him on 22nd March 2021. Later on during the visitation to the parish in the same year, the Apostolic administrator visited the site. On 27th April 2022, the Apostolic Administrator was informed of the completion of the hospital and on 23rd June of the same year, the hospital was blessed by Rt. Rev. Raphael Mweempwa (Bishop of Monze) and officially opened by Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa MP (Southern Province Minister).
SPIRITAN ENGAGEMENT AT KASIYA MISSION HOSPITAL
In responding to the signs of the times, Spiritans in Zambia as in other places have taken keen interest in embracing an integral approach to mission. Therefore through KMH, the Spiritans intend to advance and participate in the healing ministry of Christ who made Himself available to those who were tormented by various illnesses. Our Charism demands that we journey with the needy especially those who are disadvantaged in diverse ways. Hence KMH will offer an environment of care and support to the sick in the Spirit of availability to those in need of healing.