Virika Hospital

Holy Family Virika Hospital, commonly referred to as Virika Hospital, is a private, community hospital, in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, Western Uganda.[1]

Virika Hospital
Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau
Virika Hospital is located in Uganda
Virika Hospital
Geography
LocationFort Portal, Kabarole District, Western Region, Uganda
Coordinates00°38′16″N 30°16′06″E
Organisation
Care systemPrivate
TypeCommunity
Affiliated universityUganda Martyrs University
Services
Emergency departmentI
Beds207 (2019)
History
Opened1911 (1911)
Links
WebsiteHomepage
Other linksHospitals in Uganda
Medical education in Uganda

Location

The hospital is located in the central business district of the city of Fort Portal, along the Fort Portal–Kasese–Mpondwe Road, in Western Uganda, in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. It lies about 3 kilometres (2 mi), southwest of Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital.[2] This is about 180 kilometres (110 mi), northwest of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.[3] The geographical coordinates of Virika Hospital are: 0°38'16.0"N, 30°16'06.0"E (Latitude:0.637767; Longitude:30.268329).[4]

Overview

Holy Family Virika Hospital is a private, non-profit, faith-based, community hospital owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal. It is accredited to the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, and it is administered by the Sisters of the Daughters of Saint Thereza of the Child Jesus, a religious congregation. The hospital serves patients from within Kabarole District and from the neighbouring districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kibaale. The hospital runs the Bishop Magambo Counselor Training Institute, which offers a Master of Arts in Counseling degree, in collaboration with Uganda Martyrs University. The hospital also runs the Virika Hospital School of Nursing.[5]

History

Founded as a dispensary in 1911, by the White Sisters of our Lady of Africa, Virika Hospital gradually developed from those humble beginnings. In 1962 the hospital was handed over to the Medical Mission Sisters who expanded the facilities and established the Virika School of Nursing. The hospital was handed over to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal in 1975. The diocese entrusted the management of the institution to the religious congregation of the Sisters of the Daughters of Saint Thereza of the Child Jesus. In February 1994, Virika hospital suffered major earthquake damage affecting 95 percent of the buildings. Repairs to the damage lasted from 1995 until 2000.[6]

Hospital operations

As of December 2019, the hospital's bed capacity was 207. At that time, Holy Family Virika Hospital attended to 21,053 outpatients annually, on average. There were 8,369 inpatient admissions annually, on average, with a bed occupancy ratio of 37 percent. The hospital had 1,840 annual maternal deliveries, on average, with a caesarian section rate of 34.6 percent. In 2019, patient user-fees accounted for approximately 59.1 percent of total hospital annual income, on average.[5]

See also

References

  1. Tumusiime, G. (2010). "Surgical Mortality at a Mission Hospital in Western Uganda". East and Central African Journal of Surgery. 15 (2): 18–23. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  2. Google (13 November 2020). "Road Distance Between Virika Hospital And Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  3. Google (14 November 2020). "Road Distance Between Virika Hospital And Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  4. Google (14 November 2020). "Location of Virika Hospital, Fort Portal, Kabarole District, Western Region, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  5. Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (9 December 2019). "About Holy Family Virika Hospital". Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  6. New Vision (14 February 2001). "Virika Hospital Opens". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
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