BACKGROUND

St. Anthony's Hospital is located in the outskirts of Tororo Town, which is approximately five miles from the Kenya/Uganda border and 130 miles east of Kampala, the capital.

St. Anthony's was founded by the Diocese of Tororo, Uganda, to provide a Christian approach to the healing apostolate and to act as a referral hospital for the then-existing 22 diocesan health units scattered in the five districts of the diocese.  The hospital was established to handle complicated cases, especially surgical cases referred from the diocesan health units.  Generally, these patients were poor and could not receive proper care in government or private hospitals, either because the care was poor or because of their inability to pay for medical services.

The 100-bed hospital enjoys a good reputation for its services.  However, because most of the patients are unable to pay for their care, the hospital is burdened and must find funds elsewhere to pay doctors, nurses, medical supplies and equipment, electricity, water, etc.

ADMINISTRATION

St. Anthony's day-to-day activities are managed by the Medical Superintendent, the Matron, and the Heads of various hospital Departments, who form a committee answerable to the Board of Governors, which is chaired by the Archbishop of Tororo.

STAFFING
 

3 doctors 3 medical assistants  1 dental assistant  1 anesthetist  8 registered nurses  3 midwives  3 enrolled nurses  3 registered midwives

The above staff is limited by funds; if the hospital is to render proper service to all patients, the staff must be increased.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Out-Patient Department handles about 70 patients a day, in addition to 50 prenatal and postnatal patients.

The In-Patient Department maintains a maternity wing including a labour suite, medical and surgical wards, and children's ward, as well as a pharmacy and a laboratory.

SERVICES OFFERED

Curative:  out-patient and in-patient services.
Prenatal and postnatal care
Primary Health Care (PHC):  immunization in outreach stations
                                         public health education
Dental services
Blood transfusion
Laboratory services
Counseling services and home visits to HIV/AIDS patients and their families

URGENTLY REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Ultrasound equipment
X-ray machines
Modern dental equipment
Surgical equipment
Transportation (ambulances)