Missionary Activities and the Growth of Private Healthcare in The Wukari Area from 1972-2015

Abstract

The study “Missionary Activities and the Growth of Private Healthcare in the Wukari Area, 1972-2015” is an attempt to examine how missionary activities culminated into the establishment of healthcare facilities and the eventual evolution and participation of private practitioners in healthcare delivery in the area of study. The missionaries came into Africa not only to preach and propagate Christianity but also to convert the people to their religion through charitable outlets like the provision of healthcare. Eventually, the healthcare system developed attracting the attention and involvement of the colonial government while the missionaries were still actively involved. The missionaries also trained a number of indigenous people to help them as health superintendents and attendants whenever they go to the field. The batch of people that were trained utilized such knowledge to render healthcare services to their people in return. This was the case of the Wukari Area under review whereby an health superintendent with the missionaries established the first private healthcare centre in the area in 1972. This study utilized historical research method through the use of primary and secondary source data. The study also examined all other factors that led to the evolution of private practitioners in the area such as inadequate facilities and hospitals, lack of motivation and lackadaisical attitudes of health workers in the government hospitals among others.