Healthcare Provision in Hospital: The Role of Mysticism in the Seventh Day Missionary Church (SDMC) In Kenya

Abstract

Believers of the Seventh Day Missionary Church (SDMC) popularly known as the Akûrinû do not go to hospital to seek medical care. At times the church is in conflict with the government of Kenya for failing to respond to the government’s call to eradicate some diseases by getting vaccinated. An example is the call to all children below five years of age for polio vaccination. However, the beliefs and practices of this church keep them from receiving the medical attention. The view of the ministry of health in liaison with the World Health Organization is to give medical care to all Kenyan citizens and especially to save the lives of children and their mothers during pregnancy and after birth. This paper theologically analyzed the beliefs of the SDMC in relation to health issues. The researcher interviewed church leaders both men and women. The research was limited to the Polio vaccine which is meant to be administered to all children. It also paid attention to the mother -child health care (MCHC). The findings of this research are helpful to believers of the church for it calls them to go beyond faith to action. It also helps the policy makers to understand the spirituality of the community. Consequently practitioners will employ new strategies to reach the community and provide Health care services.