May 28 – June 11, 2025

St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital in Ifakara is honored to host a 14-day specialized medical outreach from May 28 to June 11, 2025, in collaboration with a team of over 25 specialist doctors from Italy, alongside local healthcare professionals. The outreach is conducted in partnership with the GOCCE Association, From Italy.

Comprehensive Free Medical Services Offered:

Patients are receiving free consultations, diagnoses, treatment, and surgeries in the following areas:

• Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) disorders
• Goiter and thyroid conditions
• Cleft lip and cleft palate repairs
• Chronic wound care
• Burn scar reconstruction
• Lymphedema (elephantiasis) treatment
• General plastic surgery

Free Hearing Aid Distribution:

In a special initiative, audiologists from the Italian team are conducting hearing assessments and providing free modern hearing aids to individuals with hearing loss. These devices are being fitted professionally, with proper patient instruction on their use and care.

Community Impact:

May 28 to June 4, over 500 patients from across Tanzania have received life-changing medical care through this program—many for the first time in their lives. The outreach is not only improving individual health but also strengthening community well-being.

Words of Gratitude:

One of the team Member Dr. Actovia Vich, from Bologna, Italy, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the hospital’s leadership:

“We deeply appreciate the warm welcome and excellent collaboration from St. Francis Hospital. It is our privilege to serve the people of Tanzania and work alongside such dedicated professionals.”

The medical outreach will continue until June 11, 2025, at St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital, located in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region.

On May 12, 2025, nurses at St. Francis Hospital Ifakara joined the global community in celebrating International Nurses Day, under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies.” The event was a heartfelt reflection of the nurses’ deep commitment to patient care and community service.

As part of the celebration, the nurses organized compassionate outreach activities, including visits to patients where they offered words of encouragement and presented thoughtful gifts. These gestures not only uplifted the spirits of the patients but also demonstrated the core values of empathy, dignity, and holistic care that define the nursing profession.

In a spirit of gratitude, the nursing team honored His Lordship Bishop Salutaris M. Libena of the Catholic Diocese of Ifakara, recognizing his unwavering spiritual and moral support to the health sector. They also extended heartfelt appreciation to the Hospital Director, WOI. Solanus M. Fussy, for his visionary leadership and tireless commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery at St. Francis Hospital.

The nurses expressed their joy in serving others and reaffirmed their dedication to providing compassionate, high-quality care to all patients, especially the vulnerable and marginalized. They pledged to continue upholding the noble calling of nursing with professionalism, love, and integrity.

“Nursing is not just a profession—it is a lifelong mission of healing, hope, and humanity,” said one of the senior nurses during the event.

As the world faces increasing health challenges, the role of nurses remains central. The celebration at St. Francis Hospital serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact nurses have on individual lives, communities, and global health systems.