Bwindi Community Hospital

Bwindi Community Hospital is a remarkable healthcare facility that has made a significant impact on the lives of the people in the South Western corner of Uganda. Founded in 2003 by Scott and Carol Kellermann, this hospital began as an outreach clinic under a tree, and has now grown into a 112-bed hospital that provides healthcare and health education services to a population of over 100,000 people. The hospital was initially set up to cater to the Batwa pygmies who were displaced from the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. These people lived in extreme poverty and were affected by various health issues due to their circumstances.Today, Bwindi Community Hospital has become a beacon of hope for the entire region, serving the population in three sub-counties of Kayonza, Mpungu, and Kanyantorogo in Kanungu District. Despite the remote location of the hospital, people from all over the region travel long distances to get to Bwindi Community Hospital for medical attention. The hospital offers a wide range of medical services, including HIV testing, surgeries, and admissions on adult and children’s wards.The hospital is staffed by a team of 150 doctors, nurses, midwives, other health workers, and support staff, with 70% of them coming from within the hospital’s catchment area. The hospital’s lab technicians test for everything, including HIV and Tuberculous. It is heartening to note that the hospital’s prevention from mother to child treatment (PMTCT) has discharged all babies born of HIV positive mothers HIV-free.Bwindi Community Hospital has been a game-changer in the region, providing medical attention, education, and outreach programs to the Batwa community. The hospital has brought about a positive change in the lives of these people, who were once neglected and discriminated against.