Gratitude from Phalombe, Malawi

The Society in London were recently contacted by Wellspring Church, a Protestant Church in Derbyshire, to say a heartfelt “Thank You.” 

Its Minister was in Malawi when he fell and dislocated his shoulder.  After 5 hours of walking, he and his guide came to Phalombe Hospital, where he was treated and accommodated overnight.  He expressed his personal gratitude for the care he received.  This  is a hospital that was founded by the Medical Mission Sisters in 1959, although we no longer manage it.

Originally known as Phalombe Holy Family Hospital, its lasting legacy is owed, in part, to its membership of the Private Hospital Association of Malawi (PHAM).  This was founded in 1965 as an ecumenical venture through which the Churches of Malawi coordinated their medical services to the nation.  All of Malawi’s private hospitals - Protestant, Anglican, Catholic - were represented within it.  

In 1967, a Medical Mission Sister called Sister Martha Marissing undertook to work as the Association’s Secretary.  Every day, she climbed into her Volkswagen and commuted from Limbe to her office on the premises of the Ministry of Health in Blantyre. In her role, she wore lay clothing, was addressed as “Miss Marissing” and returned to the Medical Missions Sisters’ hospital and convent in Phalombe for weekends.  At the time, PHAM was the only organisation of this type in Africa.

It is good to see how, even today, the hospital in Phalombe continues to offer quality medical services and a healing presence, when these are needed.