Catholic missionaries have played a significant role in shaping healthcare practices within African communities, integrating medical efforts with evangelisation work. This holistic approach combines spiritual and physical care, resulting in significant contributions to several key areas. Juan Carlos Salgado Ortiz, a Comboni missionary brother who worked as a doctor in Africa, explains why.
Catholic missionaries were pioneers in building hospitals, clinics, and dispensaries in many remote regions of Africa, often stepping in where government-funded healthcare was lacking. Today, many of these facilities are still in operation and serve as vital components of local health systems.
In particular, the Comboni Missionaries established a robust health sector in northern Uganda, with hospitals in Lacor, Kalongo, Kitgum, Matany, Angal, and Aber, as well as numerous health centres and dispensaries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, they established the Mungbere hospital, and in Southern Sudan, hospitals in Mapuordit and Wau.
In addition to providing direct medical care, Catholic missionaries have trained local Africans in basic medical skills, nursing, and healthcare management. This commitment has led to the establishment of medical and nursing schools, fostering a self-reliant health workforce. Lacor Hospital, for example, is home to nursing and midwifery schools, a laboratory school, and an anaesthesia school, in addition to partnerships with Gulu University.
Catholic missionaries introduced Western medicine and health practices, which often coexisted with traditional African healing methods. They promoted the use of modern medicines, surgical techniques, and preventive measures such as vaccination and sterilization, significantly improving the health of the communities they served. Missionaries in public health and preventive medicine played a crucial role in promoting public health initiatives.
They organized vaccination campaigns, promoted hygiene practices, and implemented clean water initiatives to combat diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and leprosy. Their efforts were instrumental in reducing the spread of infectious diseases and addressing maternal and child health issues.
A major focus of Catholic missionaries has been on marginalized and vulnerable groups, including orphans, people with disabilities, and those affected by diseases such as leprosy and HIV/AIDS. They have established specialised facilities such as leprosy villages and orphanages. The introduction of Western medical practices often came into conflict with traditional African healing practices, such as spiritual healing.
While some communities embraced these new methods, others resisted or integrated them into their existing traditions. This fusion sometimes included the use of bone setters, herbal remedies such as neem or moringa, and traditional orthopaedic care. Catholic missionaries also introduced Western medical ethics and Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life, shaping the moral framework of healthcare practices. This influence has significantly impacted areas such as end-of-life care, reproductive health, and family planning.
Missionaries have often advocated for improved access to healthcare for African populations and urged governments to invest in health infrastructure. They have acted as intermediaries between local communities and international donors to secure funding and resources for health development.
Today, Catholic-run hospitals and clinics continue to provide essential health services in many African countries. Through organisations such as the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) and Caritas, the Catholic Church operates one of the largest networks of health facilities in Africa, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The contributions of Catholic missionaries to healthcare in Africa are profound, particularly in regions and populations with little or no access to formal medical services. Their legacy continues today, as many of the institutions they established remain central to healthcare delivery across the continent.
While the introduction of Western medical practices sometimes clashed with local traditions, their impact on health infrastructure, medical training, and care for marginalised populations has left a lasting mark on African communities. (Juan Carlos Salgado Ortiz is a Comboni missionary doctor who is accompanied by two nurses. File swm)
