Tanzania - Lituhi: A beautiful story just begun

Hope requires concrete answers. Ever since we learned about the life of St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lituhi, in the Diocese of Mbinga, we've been working tirelessly to provide it: first by visiting, listening to understand this unique reality, and building relationships of friendship and trust, in close collaboration and synergy with our friends in Sardinia who put us in touch. Thus, a comprehensive program was defined and launched to improve, strengthen, and make the service more sustainable.
It's essential here, in remote southwest Tanzania, for over 50,000 people and—even more so—to ensure it even for those who have little or nothing to pay for it: many fatal diseases are treatable, and many lives can be saved.

Much remains to be done—because there are so many needs—but the change underway is now evident. The first essential infrastructure is now in place, providing a stable supply of safe drinking water, with the complex installation of the pump in the hospital's well, along with the 7kWp of its photovoltaic system; The system has a capacity of 4,500 liters/hour of solar energy, equivalent to at least 30 cubic meters/day: enough for the entire health center, the mission, and the hundreds of people who live nearby. The hospital currently has a laundry room, still in need of expansion, but finally reorganized and efficient: with plenty of water, renovated with adequate tiling, and three washing machines. Construction of new bathrooms continues, marking important steps towards improving the health complex's hygiene.

All basic services are offered: exams, diagnostics, visits, hospitalizations, basic surgery... To consolidate these services, two containers with medical equipment and supplies were sent between 2024 and 2025; these include ultrasound scanners, electrocardiographs, sterilizers, photovoltaic equipment, computers, modern beds and furniture, an ophthalmology office, and self-production of sodium hypochlorite. A complete carpentry workshop is also being installed in Lituhi by the Diocese of Mbinga for training and employment, along with sewing machines and a computer room. A telemedicine service has also been launched.

We are sadly affected by the recent tragic death in an accident of our beloved Sister Teofrida, a key figure in Lituhi.
Toefrida lived a joyful and charitable life: her hard work will continue from Heaven, that's for sure; and we will remain by her side. Like Valeria and Elisa, who, in recent weeks on site, have focused on the analysis laboratory, beginning its renovation: fixtures, floors, walls, ceilings, and work surfaces. This is to optimize the structure, following the recent completion of the instrumentation with a new device for biochemical analysis and one for ultrapure water.

Stable energy availability is now the top priority for achieving a further turning point.
The hospital is connected to the grid, but the supply is intermittent and unpredictable; only a few hours between day and night; it is impossible today to use its equipment—sterilizers, laboratory, diagnostics—efficiently.

The prospects are linked to the use of photovoltaic energy. Two systems are planned: a first 10kWp system, designed and contracted with a local supplier, will be completed by the end of the year. A preliminary design has been completed for the second 22kWp system, and the search for the necessary equipment has begun for its implementation as soon as possible, thus meeting the needs of all users. This includes the new operating room, designed based on specifications issued by the Health Authorities: a challenging but necessary project.

A beautiful story, with many good pages yet to be written.

Mauro Palombo
NP October 2025