Sisters of Mercy Bring Compassionate Care to St. Margaret Hospital Kasaba
By Sr. Christine Musonda, SOM, Mansa – CNCS Hub At St. Margaret Mission Hospital in Kasaba, the Sisters of Mercy continue to provide compassionate care and support to patients, families and the wider community, despite facing staffing and resource challenges in this rural area. Hospital Administrator Sr. Faustina Nsama said the Sisters’ work is guided by faith and a commitment to serving the vulnerable. “Every person is worthy of love, care and dignity. Our motivation comes from seeing patients recover,” she explained. The hospital faces ongoing challenges, including limited medical equipment, staffing shortages, and inadequate supplies. Currently, the hospital operates at 46% of its staffing capacity and lacks essential equipment such as X-ray machines and neonatal incubators. Patients often have to travel 170 kilometers for specialized services. Clinical Officer Thelma Wabupe highlighted the difficulties in maternity and intensive care. “Most of the babies who need intensive care are put in the general ward with their mothers. Some patients are forced to stay home because services are not available locally,” she said. Despite these constraints, those caring for patients continue to praise the Sisters’ dedication. “We are well received, patients are given medicines according to their illness, provided with food and the hospital is clean. Patients are also encouraged to take good care of themselves,” said bedside attendant Lilian Mwansa. The Sisters of Mercy uphold the vision of their founder Archbishop James Mwewa Spaita, bringing mercy and compassion to those in need. Through their ministry, they transform lives, offering hope, healing and spiritual support to patients and the broader community. Sr. Nsama emphasizes that faith and teamwork guide daily work. “We combine spiritual and physical care. Even in difficult circumstances, we strive to be resourceful and give the best service we can,” she said. St. Margaret Mission Hospital continues to be a beacon of love and compassion, ensuring patients receive care rooted in dignity, empathy and hope.
NOTHING IS TOO LITTLE TO SHARE
“When I have some time free from work, I walk to Shoprite to talk and listen to their stories… By Sr. Martha Chanda The streets of Mansa in Luapula Province are not exempt from the presence of street children. In the vicinity of Shoprite, one can observe numerous children wandering, often hungry and begging for food and money. Their plight plainly highlights the realities of hunger and poverty within our society. Sr. Patricia Mubanga Mulenga is a Religious Sister from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy who has dedicated herself to the service of street children in Mansa. Inspired by her Congregation’s charism of compassion and the example given by the Founder Archbishop James Mwewa Spaita, who loved the homeless, coupled with her professional counselling skills, Sr. Patricia is able to interact with these children with competence and compassion. During her free time, she often walks to Shoprite to talk and listen to the children. She believes every child, regardless of their circumstances, is a child of God deserving of a better life. Sr. Patricia says she is inspired to lend a helping hand by the resilience of some of the children, who despite the numerous challenges on the streets are fending for their families. When I see them hungry and whenever I have something, I am compelled to give, not only food but in other ways as well. Sometimes my community and I go out of our way and share what we have from our table and sometimes from well-wishers. I find joy in cooking nice food for them to eat even if it is only one meal for a small group. The story of the five loaves and two fish in the bible always charges me on. Nothing is too little to share. Sr. Patricia. Sr. Patricia says she desires to establish a skills center were these children can be empowered with different practical skills rather than being on the streets. She is appealing to people of goodwill to partner with her in changing the lives of these children by empowering them with the needed skills, shelter and love.