CMDA | Bongolo Hospital, Lebamba, Gabon

Bongolo Hospital, Lebamba, Gabon

^{Bongolo Hospital}

• Bongolo Hospital; Bongolo Hospital (second web site)
• Bongolo Residents & Attendings
• Hospital Agency: Christian & Missionary Alliance

^{Dr. Ron Sutherland, visiting faculty with
Dr. Keir Thelander, Program Director}

Mission: Christian and Missionary Alliance

Profile: Bongolo Hospital (Hôpital Evangélique de Bongolo) is in a rural area of Gabon and serves one third of the country’s population. It was founded by the Christian and Missionary Alliance and is operated by Eglise de l’Alliance Cretienne du Gabon. The hospital presently has 136 beds. Malaria and other tropical diseases are prevalent there. Pregnancy complications, strangulated hernias, and soft tissue infections and abscesses are also common. Trauma is presented regularly. In addition to medical care, the hospital also offers a three-year training course for nurses and midwives and a community health program. This hospital was the first hospital to host a successful PAACS training program.

^{Surgical Team on Rounds}

Time Difference: +5 hours Daylight Savings Time (EST), USA; +6 hours Eastern Standard Time, USA

Travel: Fly by commercial airline to Libreville; fly Nationale Regionale Transport to Mouila; drive two hours to Lebamba.

Location: Bongolo Hospital is located in a lush, forested, rural area of Gabon 340 miles southwest of the capital city of Libreville.

Language: French is the primary language of the hospital, although the local African dialect is also spoken.

^{Dr. David C. Thompson, PAACS Founder and PAACS
Director for Africa}

Climate: Except for the cooler summer months (a dry season), temperatures run from 80 to 90 degrees F, humidity ranges from 50% to 80%, and it rains often.

Housing: Accommodations are in a guesthouse with kitchen facilities for breakfast and lunch. Dinner will usually be with missionary staff.

• Program Director: Dr. Keir Thelander
• Faculty: Dr. David Thompson
• Beds: 136 (40 Surgical)
• ORs: 3
• Number of Major Cases in 2005-2006: 1,165
• Began Training Residents: 1998
• Number of PAACS Residents September 1, 2007: Five
• Number of PAACS Graduates: Five