About St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital
St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital is a faith-inspired healthcare institution committed to providing high-quality, safe, and compassionate medical services to the community and the region at large. The hospital promotes health, preserves human dignity, and improves quality of life through professional and patient-centered healthcare services.
Owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ifakara, the hospital has grown into one of Tanzania’s leading regional referral hospitals, serving patients from across the region and beyond.
Comprehensive Healthcare Services
The hospital provides preventive, curative, diagnostic, emergency, surgical, maternal, neonatal, and referral healthcare services supported by qualified healthcare professionals and modern medical infrastructure.
Who We Are
St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital serves as a major healthcare referral center in southern Tanzania. The hospital previously fulfilled the assignment of a Designated District Hospital under a government agreement and was responsible for providing healthcare services to Kilombero and Ulanga Districts, serving approximately 800,000 people in an area nearly the size of Switzerland.
Through continuous growth and expansion, the hospital now provides specialized and referral services to patients from multiple districts while maintaining its commitment to quality, affordability, and compassionate healthcare.
Our History
The hospital traces its roots back to 1927 when it was established by the Swiss Baldegg Sisters to provide accessible healthcare services to local communities. Significant modernization efforts began in 1955 under Dr. Karl Schoepf together with the Swiss Capuchin Fathers and Baldegg Sisters.
The modern hospital was officially opened in 1960 and has continued to expand ever since, becoming a Regional Referral Hospital in 2010.
Teaching & Research
The hospital serves as a teaching platform for St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences (SFUCHAS), TTCIH, and the Ifakara School of Nursing.
It is also a research site for the Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and is recognized internationally as a WHO collaborating district hospital.
Our Commitment to the Community
St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital remains committed to continuous improvement, strong community engagement, innovation, and sustainable healthcare solutions. Through investment in people, infrastructure, technology, and specialized medical services, the hospital continues to improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen access to quality healthcare for all.