Rural Clinics

Much work has already been done in setting up health care facilities in the larger cities of Africa. However, much of the population does not have access to these facilities and there continues to be a great need for health care in small villages and rural areas. By the grace of God, the Coptic Mission has started opening clinics in rural areas to treat the sick who can not afford to travel far away from home for treatment. It is very rewarding to provide life saving treatment to people who might otherwise have suffered or died from preventable diseases. The main objectives of these rural clinics are to provide affordable health care treatment and establish basic training programs aimed at disease prevention and infection control. (read more)

Coptic Nursing Home - Maseno
The first rural clinic was the Coptic Nursing Home, established in Maseno (Western Kenya) in 2004. Early challenges included finding doctors and pharmacists willing to live and work in a rural area, initially only seeing a few patients a day. With time and by God’s grace, the clinic continues to grow and now has a full staff that includes two doctors, two pharmacists, a physiotherapist and several nurses and lab technicians.

People all around the area of Maseno are very grateful for this clinic. Having access to affordable health care has drastically raised their standard of living. They no longer have to suffer for long periods of time with illnesses, but have a place to go for immediate care.

Recently, a new in-patient ward has been opened for patients who need closer monitoring throughout the night. In October 2006, the clinic began accepting referrals for patients who need physical rehabilitation. The number of referrals is gradually growing so that this service is now being offered three half-days per week.

The following are the main services being offered at the Coptic Nursing Home:
• Clinical Consultation
• Full Pharmaceutical services
• Laboratory: Offering basic lab testing
• In-patient services (new)
• Minor surgeries
• Rehabilitation services (new)
• Free Immunizations
• Free Family Planning services
• Free TB testing and treatment
• Free STI Testing and treatment
• Free Malaria Treatment
• Maternity Ward
• Ambulance Service

In order to reach people in different areas, the Coptic Nursing Home conducts medical campaigns to the poorer rural communities around the Maseno area. They provide basic medical care, medication, public health education and HIV testing and awareness training (VCT-voluntary counseling and testing). After seeing the physician, patients can receive free medication from the mobile pharmacy. While medical professionals treat physical ailments, others are sharing the gospel and guiding people to Christ, the ultimate Physician.

Example of Medical Campaigns in the second half of 2006 

Through these Medical Campaigns we are able to provide FREE medical care to people who would not otherwise receive the care due to lack of money for medical services and the lack of transportation to reach a medical clinic. The Coptic mission continues to search for ways to meet the needs of the people. Through many prayers, the Coptic mission has been able to charitably support the medical needs of people in the Maseno region. Here is a summary of a few of the most recent amounts of charitable services offered by the Coptic Orthodox Church in the Maseno region:

Coptic Mobile Clinic in Mongoolee, Zambia

With a young and active church in Mongoolee, the Coptic Orthodox Church found a great need for the physical healing of the people, in addition to their spiritual healing. Located in the heart of the bush area of Zambia, the people of Mongoolee have no medical care for hundreds of kilometers. The Coptic Church decided to step in by providing a mobile clinic once a month that provides free doctor consultation, free treatment, free medication and Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV/AIDS. In severe cases, critical or complicated patients are brought to the Coptic Hospital in Lusaka for further treatment. The church is praying to establish more permanent medical care in Mongoolee and other rural areas throughout Zambia.

Treatment services for HIV/AIDS

The Coptic rural clinics also provide many prevention and treatment services for HIV/AIDS under the Coptic Hope Center (please click on the link to read more about the inspiring work done in these areas). Through the ACT Project, (AIDS Community Training Project), the church is going beyond the traditional awareness message by actively fighting the HIV stigma and providing real options for life. In Nairobi’s industrial area there are over 30,000 factories and Coptic Hope Center is the only comprehensive HIV/AIDS clinic serving the area. Coptic Hope Center has been successful in providing one day training sessions followed by Voluntary Counseling and Testing to over 800 workers throughout various factories in the area. In Maseno, the Hope Center has provided training to the student and teacher populations in over 20 schools. In addition, the church recognizes that the key to changing the public perception of HIV/AIDS lies in influencing their leaders, the church has been working in this heavily stigmatized area by training over 80 local chiefs and pastors. The pastors play an important role in this area where faith is greatly integrated into the people's lives. In Lusaka, Zambia the Coptic Hope Center has provided training to over 40 church leaders and over 35 school teachers. The church has also been training leaders in many rural communities, including Mongoolee, Zambia. Each of these training sessions has been met with a positive response. The training group is often asked to come back and give longer sessions. In addition to the training sessions, the church is working with employers and leaders of multi-million shilling industries to change their companies' policies on HIV/AIDS and staff management. Our same message of hope is tailored to each group we reach, including the local leaders, CEOs, causal laborers, factory workers, students, pastors and slum dwellers.

Get Involved

May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless the Coptic rural clinics in the smaller cities so that this service may grow to cater to all who are in need. If you feel inspired to come and serve or assist in the growth of these clinics, please contact us via the E-mail Contact Form.