Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Just opened at Kovè, a small village 20 km from Lome capital of Togo, Lomè, a new Canossian hospital dedicated to Saint Josephine Bakhita, Canossian sister, canonised by Pope John Paul II in 2000.
Now at last the sisters can give proper hospital care to the numerous patients who come every day to the mission in search of help. Diseases include malaria, AIDS, typhoid fever, intestinal parasites, pregnancy complications.
The hospital was opened by the Archbishop of Lome Philippe Fanuko Kpodzro and Togo’s health minister Hon. Susanne Aho.
The 1,200 sq. mt. hospital has about 16 beds, an emergency department, two out-patient surgeries, a testing laboratory, a delivery room, rooms for dental and eye treatment and a few small rooms for AIDS patients in serious conditions. The hospital will provide vaccination against tetanus meningitis and polio. It also has a counselling centre for new arrivals at the mission with health problems.
The13 women religious are assisted by 8 VOICA Canossian women volunteers who work at the mission and care for about 100 sick people. The mission is a reference point for people all around the area and the situation is calm. The people are mainly subsistence farmers or vendors. Voodoo is widely practised and even some of those who become Catholics continue to follow traditional rites. Every evening there is a rite under a great tree in front of the hospital. This religious tradition also includes herb medicine which is sometimes very harmful and some Voodoo members refuse to treatment because they say sickness is a punishment from which there is no escape. (AP) (12/12/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:28; Parole:351)
