Virika Hospital


Holy Family Virika Hospital, commonly referred to as Virika Hospital, is a private, community hospital, in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, Western Uganda.

Location

The hospital is located along the Fort Portal–Kasese–Mpondwe Road, within the central business district of the town of Fort Portal, in Western Uganda, in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. It lies about, southwest of Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. This is about, northwest of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. The coordinates of Virika Hospital are: 0°38'16.0"N, 30°16'06.0"E.

Overview

Holy Family Virika Hospital is a private, non-profit, community hospital owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal. It is accredited to the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, and it is administered by the Sisters of the Daughters of Saint Thereza of the Child Jesus, a religious congregation. The hospital serves patients from within Kabarole District and from the neighboring districts of Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Kibaale. The hospital runs the Bishop Magambo Counselor Training Institute, which offers a Master of Arts in Counseling degree, in collaboration with Uganda Martyrs University. The hospital also runs the Virika Hospital School of Nursing.

History

Founded as a dispensary in 1911, by the White Sisters of our Lady of Africa, Virika Hospital gradually developed from those humble beginnings. In 1962 the hospital was handed over to the Medical Mission Sisters who expanded the facilities and established the Virika School of Nursing. The hospital was handed over to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Portal in 1975. The diocese entrusted the management of the institution to the religious congregation of the Sisters of the Daughters of Saint Thereza of the Child Jesus. In February 1994, Virika hospital suffered major earthquake damage affecting 95% of the buildings. Repairs to the damage lasted from 1995 until 2000.