# ECWA Hospital Egbe

ECWA Hospital Egbe is a Christian hospital located in Egbe, Kogi State, Nigeria. It is a 121-bed hospital which became SIM's first training hospital.

## Background

There was missionary activity in Egbe so many years ago particularly through Rev. Tommy Titcombe and his wife (a British-born Canadian Missionary), on behalf of the Serving In Mission (SIM) from the United States, Canada, and the UK, who served in Egbe and Yagba land from 1908 for more than a decade, this has left a positive impact on the people of Egbe, Yagba and Nigeria at large. He came to Egbe at a time when West Africa was considered a white man's grave due to the existence of malaria. 'Oyinbo' Egbe as Rev Titcombe was fondly called was used by God to start a large and healthy church in Yagba land that continues until this day. He was also renowned for caring for the sick, especially those with ulcerous wounds. ECWA Hospital Egbe became one of the products of the work.

## History

It was reported that Tommy Titcombe, a preacher, noticed people with sores and began offering healthcare services. He married Ethel McIntosh in 1915, which led to a significant event in the history of ECWA Hospital Egbe. On Christmas Day, they saved a woman giving birth to twins from being killed by a medicine man. Despite resistance the practice was eventually abolished. Ethel decided to start a small maternity in their house, which became the genesis of ECWA Hospital Egbe. In 1925, they built a Maternity and Clinic with Christian converts' support, which was completed in 1926.Tommy Titcombe, while preaching from place to place usually saw people with sores; this encouraged him to embark on health care services, while he was quick to notice this as another avenue to winning souls. Formation of ECWA Hospital Egbe gradually began.
Tommy Titcombe married Ethel McIntosh in 1915; this union brought about a turning point in the history of the hospital. Tommy and wife arrived Egbe two days before Christmas 1915 from their honey moon, they didn't realise how exciting Christmas Day was going to be. As they were getting ready to go to the five O’clock service on Christmas morning, a messenger came running from the town beckoning Ethel to come quickly. There was a woman who had just giving birth to twins. She had had four babies and all had died. At that time Yagbas (this is what people from Egbe and surrounding communities are called) believed that a woman who gave birth to twins was something less than human and they wouldn't let them live in the village any longer. Believing one of the twins must be an evil spirit, so, they were waiting for the medicine man to come and kill both of them. Consequently, Ethel (Tommy's wife) was able to save the twins and the woman from being put to death, though there was resistance from the people, but for God's intervention. The first twins (Reuben and Ruth) were saved on that day without any evil befalling them as the people believed and the practice was gradually abolished from among the Yagba people.
Perhaps, because Ethel wanted to save more twins, she decided to start a small maternity in their house. This was the genesis of ECWA Hospital Egbe. In 1925 they started building a Maternity and Clinic, with Christian converts’ support and hard labour, the building was completed in 1926.
Rev and Mrs. Titcombe, who had no formal medical training, worked hard to sustain the hospital until 1951. By 1950, the Egbe people had shown a positive response to the medical services, leading to an immediate need for trained personnel. Rev Tommy Titcombe consulted with Dr. George Campion in 1949, who agreed to come to Egbe after his medical training. Campion and his wife, who returned home in 1958, marked the transition of the hospital to one of the largest, most popular, and most successful in Kogi State and Nigeria. He initiated the construction of several buildings, including the main building housing, autoclave room, operation theatre, doctor's offices, Outpatients Department, patients' waiting room, card room, Ward A, and Laboratory. In 1965, he added Central Supply Room, Administration, Pharmacy, cashiers, and Accounts. In 1971, he built three Pastor's Offices, dedicated to Dr. Janet Troupe, who died while treating Lassa fever patients.

## ECWA School of Nursing and ECWA School of Midwifery

Dr. Campion establish a Nursing Training School (NTS)(now ECWA School of Nursing, Egbe) the school was established in 1955, the government's approval was not secured until 1957. ECWA Nursing Training School was the first in Kogi and Kwara for many years. ECWA School of Midwifery, Egbe was first established in 1977 as Midwives Training School and since has been graduating midwives who practice in Nigeria and abroad.

## Departments

* Administration
* Account
* Pharmacy
* Operating Room (Theatre Unit)
* Radiology (X-ray)
* Outpatient Department
* Laboratory
* Ward A (Female Medical Ward)
* Ward C (Children Ward)
* Male Surgery Ward
* Maternity
* Under fives’ Clinic, Antenatal and Family Planning Clinic
* Eye Centre
* Maintenance
* Evangelism
* HIV/AIDS Counselling Clinic

## Egbe Hospital Revitalization Project

http://vimeo.com/35716342