The Medical Support Group in the Netherlands has supported the hospital over more than 20 years, mainly with building and renovation projects and equipment amounting to a grand total of 1,5 million Euros. During the last face to face meeting in Scotland the hospital requested the representatives of the MSG Board to continue with the same kind of projects as before.
In 2019/2020 the following projects were finished: Final stage roofing and renovation of walkways, Renovation of Post-natal ward, Roofing of Post-natal ward, Alteration of the Kangaroo room, Renovation of the Men’s mess house, rebuilding the Physio Department.
All projects were efficiently overseen and reported on by Mr Chungu Mutale, projectmanager.
The Beit Trust (UK) continued to contribute to the renovation of Staff houses, the Fistula Foundation continued to help mothers who are undertaking the repair of the obstetric fistula
The 500 miles has shown Leadership in the provision of supplies for Orthopaedic services to many vulnerable members of the community while the Logie Legacy is continuing to support the hospital to realise its potential in the area of communication, water and sanitation.
The Churches Association of Zambia( CHAZ) and CDC- EPHO have continued to support the HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programmes.
The flyspec programme has continued the provision of specialised services through its technical support services in Orthopaedic and Plastic/ Reconstructive surgeries.
The Christian Aware Team has been very instrumental in the provision of literacy classes to the waiters and recently supported the procurement of glass doors and improvement of sanitation in Maternity ward.
Last but not least the Friends of St Francis in UK has provided unending support, last of which an oxygen generator.  

Read about some of the projects below:

Roofing of Walkways

Anyone who is familiar with the layout of St Francis Hospital knows that it comprises several pavillions interconnected by walkways. It is important that these walkways have roofs to protect patients, visitors, nurses and doctors alike from the downpours of the rainy season or the simmering heat in October-November.
The last bits of roofing have been put into place: from the main entrance to Radiology, the last stretch to the Outpatients Department and the walkway to the Mortuary. Also some maintenance activities have been performed on the existing walkways.

Renovation Bethlehem

After the successful renovation of Mukasa ward in 2018, the hospital management requested to also renovate the Post Natal ward Bethlehem. This however was far more complicated than anticipated since the roof was in a very poor state and had to be completely renewed. The presence of asbestos in the old roof complicated matters.
Also, at the suggestion of Dr Irene de Vries (who worked as a doctor at St Francis four years ago) an extension was built to create a so called Kangaroo room. In Kangaroo Mother Care the mother holds the newborn baby on her chest covered by a blanket or chitenge, which promotes the well being and growth of the (premature) baby. This practice is promoted by the Ministry of Health.
The renovation of Bethlehem and the building of the Kangaroo room were divided into three projects that were tendered separately.

New staff house

Sufficient staff accommodation is of the utmost importance to St Francis’ Hospital. Foreign doctors come to help out, often on a voluntary basis. Medical students choose to do their electives at St Francis’ at a certain rate, thus generating income for the hospital. They all need a place to stay.

If there is no room to house them, this process stagnates.
The management urgently requested to renovate the Men’s Mess, where the young Zambian doctors live.

Considering the state of the building is was decided to tear it down and to build form scratch. The building stagnated due to heavy rainfall and was completed in March 2020.

Oxygen Generator

Organizations and individuals contributed to an oxygen generator and to building the housing for the plant. Now the oxygen is being piped to Theatre and several wards. The contributors are: Apart form the Friends of St Francis Hospital (UK), Pylos Zambia, Mr Charles Mkokweza, Mr Wilson Sumaili, Build it International, Mr Chibesa Chitangala, Sable Contruction, Mr Chikwanda, Muslim Association (Katete and Chipata Districts).