Rukungiri: The establishment of Kisiizi hospital by Dr. John sharp and his wife Doreen sharp did not only bring a health care relief to the people of Rukungiri district but the entire Kigezi region.
Established in the valley of death, People from all walks of life breathed a sigh of relief following its establishment in 1959.
From 24 beds, 2 patient wards capacity, the Hospital has become a shining light in valley of death. Today, it is a 310-bed teaching hospital with annual visits of more than 55,000 patients to its clinics; more than 9,000 admissions over 58,000 patient days; 3,241 surgical operations; and 2,245 deliveries.
The hospital also has a successful community-based, not-for-profit health insurance scheme, the first of its kind in Uganda, with more than 38,000 subscribing members.
Mzee Muhwezi Kevengyere, 96 a resident of Kisizi parish says the establishment of Kisiizi hospital greatly relived the community from burden of illnesses that claimed so many lives.
“I salute the founders and other great thinkers for starting this facility because it has greatly transformed our lives in terms of health. Before its existence there was a lot of illness and people would travel to Mbarara to access modern health care services because the 2rd world war had caused the closure and collapse of Kabale mission hospital which was a center of medical care in kigezi region” Mzee Muhwezi said.
Peace Kamugisha, 85 a resident of Bwanga parish in Nyarushanje sub- county Rukungiri district hailed the founders and current staff at Kisiizi hospital for treating Ugandans.
“Kisiizi hospital is doing a great work in our community. About a year ago I went there for an operation, the doctors treated me well as other Muzungu doctor used treat people. If it wasn’t kisiizi hoapital I would have died because I had visited all other health facilities in the district and the doctors had advised me to go to Mbarara regional hospital” Ms Kamugisha said.
Mzee Bishobire Kwesigomwe , 76 a resident of Buyanja sub- county in Rukungrir district said that the existence of kisiizi hospital is of great importance to the lives of Rukungiri hospital.
“I first visited Kisiizi in 1996 when my son’s wife was delivering. The care and treatment that was given to her was special to the extent she was operated white doctors. i thank God for having given Kisiizi hospital to the people of Rukungiri district.” Mzee Bishobire said.
The birth of Kisiizi hospital.
On Saturday 28th, March 1958, Dr. John Sharp and his wife Doreen sharp arrived at Kisiizi and camped at the abandoned flax factory building. On 30th, March 1958, a thanks giving service to make away for healing, preaching and teaching of God’s word in the valley of death was held.
From the beginning Dr. Sharp had in his vision of a hospital built on a Christian foundation with Christ at the center and giving life in its fullness.
Few days later, Dr. Sharp wrote a letter to Uk informing his colleagues how badly the bakiga needy men and Women needed a hospital given illnesses that were killing them.
In 1941 cultivation of flax plant started in kigezi region under the supervision of Mr. MacCombe, the then agricultural officer. He encouraged the people of Kigezi to grow this commercial crop with an aim of providing Flax for an emerging flax factory that government had constructed in Kisiizi valley.
The project struggled for 14 years but died a prematurely due to lack of interest in crop growing and Pasmo disease that attacked the crop. In 1955, the factory closed leaving behind a wealth of one factory building and 2 staff houses plus a small hydro- electric plant.
Meanwhile, the 2rd world war had sadly caused the closure and collapse of Kabale mission hospital, the main source of health care in kigezi and Rwanda regions then. As a result, the church missionary society saw a pressing need to either revive this hospital or start one somewhere else but within the region.
The church requested the government to take possession of the flax factory as a hospital. This was agreed in February 1958 thus the birth of Kisiizi hospital.
Celebrating life of Kisiizi Hospital founders.
A few days ago, the Management and Board Kisiizi hospital organized a thanks giving service to celebrate the life of Dr. John Sharp and his wife Doreen Sharp the pioneers and the founders of this facility.
Dr. Sharp, the pioneer doctor passed on eight years after starting Kisiizi hospital in 1966 and his wife Doreen passed on early this year 2022.
Moses Mugume, the Kisiizi hospital administrator described the late Dr. John and his wife Doreen as great thinkers who contributed a lot towards the establishment of Kisiizi hospital.
“Dr.John sharp and his wife Doreen are great in the life and existence of Kisiizi hospital. If it wasn’t their tireless effort, the hospital would nowhere in the region. So we thank God for their life and we ask Him to grant their souls in eternal peace” Mr. Mugume said.
Dr. Henry Lukabwe, the kisiizi hospital Medical superintendent noted that it is a right decision to celebrate the life of the two hospital founders.
“The two phenomenon people have their legacy in Kisiizi and south western Uganda and it can’t be fully expressed by any words in any human dialect. They are also an icon of excellence and their credentials are to offer life in all its fullness.” Dr. Lukabwe said.
Since its inception, Kisiizi hospital has touched and saved the lives of many Ugandans who go there seeking specialized medical care services. The hospital offers a wide of range of services including rehabilitation, mental health, specialized investigation, internship among others.
Due to lack of a district referral hospital, the hospital has surely saved people from traveling to kabala and Mbarara referral hospitals looking specialized treatment.
