From container to accredited health center: the growth of the dispensary in Mwanzugi
What began in 1997 as a simple dispensary in an old container, with nothing more than a table and two chairs, grew thanks to Father Albert Bolle into a vital healthcare post for the community of Mwanzugi. The great need for medical care in the region ensured that the initiative developed rapidly.
What started as a small project quickly evolved into a full-fledged day hospital with three wards where patients can go for basic care, weekly consultations for pre- and postnatal follow-up, and the treatment of HIV patients. In 2011, thanks to the sisters and with support from FECS (Fundación Española de Cooperación Sanitaria), a new maternity ward was built, followed by a double operating theater and a modern laboratory in 2017. Thanks to expansions in 2020 and 2021, the capacity increased even further.
Partly due to these continuous investments and the growing quality of care, the hospital was granted the official status of Health Center in 2024 by the Tanzanian Ministry of Health. With "Fr. Bolle Memorial Health Center" as its new name, the staff pays tribute to the founder of their hospital.
Extensive facilities
Today, approximately 720 children are born annually, which averages out to 60 babies per month. The hospital now features an extensive infrastructure:
- A day clinic for the examination and treatment of sick patients
- A maternity ward with 14 beds and a delivery room
- A weekly Mother & Childcare department for vaccinations, prenatal, and postnatal follow-up of mothers and babies
- An AIDS/HIV Treatment Center and a Tuberculosis (TB) treatment program
- A hospital lab and a hospital pharmacy
- A double operating theater with a recovery room, sterilization room, and sanitary facilities for medical staff
Support by Bollé Bollé
Bollé Bollé has been providing valuable support to the hospital in Mwanzugi for years, including the following initiatives:
- Solar for Igunga (2019)
Thanks to this project, the hospital was fully equipped with sustainable energy. The installation includes 60 solar panels, 48 batteries, 53 energy-efficient LED lamps, 2 inverters, and 1.6 km of electrical wiring. Since late 2019, this system has guaranteed a continuous power supply, 24 hours a day, for all crucial parts of the hospital, including the operating theater. - Expansion of the wards (2020-2021)
Phase 01: Construction of a new ward for women and post-operative patients, started in October 2020 and completed in March 2021.
Phase 03: Construction of 4 isolation rooms (quarantine) and a ward for men, started and completed in 2021. - Purchase of an ambulance (2022)
In collaboration with FECS from Spain, Bollé Bollé purchased a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser ambulance for the hospital in 2022. Another important milestone that literally saves lives. In addition to picking up patients in urgent situations, this ambulance is also used for referring patients to specialized referral hospitals across the country. - Construction of a hospital pharmacy (2023)
- Construction of a new hospital wing (2024-2026)
Project pictures
