Health

Improving Medical Care in One Corner of Congo

Over half a million people in DR Congo depend on a medical network that we support. The 5 hospitals and 94 clinics serve a wide section of the northwestern Equateur province.

These facilities, run by the Communaute Évangélique de l’Ubangi-Mongala (CEUM, Covenant Church of Congo), suffered severe damage during the civil war (1996-2003). Since then they have been working to rebuild their strength.

All across Congo the people struggle with illness and early death. They are among the poorest in Africa and the world, and have little money for medical care. Malaria strikes nearly 6 million Congolese each year, and about 100,000 die. One child in five does not live to see his or her fifth birthday. Nearly half of young children are stunted in their growth.

The Paul Carlson Partnership has been working hard to improve health conditions in northwest Congo for over 40 years. We began with an empty hospital in the village of Loko, donated by the Congolese government and named in memory of missionary doctor Paul Carlson. Working with local staff, we added agricultural development for healthier foods and income generation.

We now provide much of the operating support and pharmaceuticals for the entire CEUM medical system (including the hospital at Loko). We’ve also done special projects, like providing crucial medical equipment to replace items stolen or destroyed in the war.

In 2009 we raised enough money to provide basic diagnostic equipment in all 94 village clinics, through our Clinics First campaign. We also included the medicines that are most needed in the clinics–the people’s first resort in illness, injury, and childbirth.

In early 2011 the medical staff at the 135-bed flagship hospital in Karawa undertook an extensive planning process. They have created a plan for upgrading the range and quality of patient services, with a larger vision that includes hospital and clinics together caring for the people in that district. Together we share some clear goals, including:

• Fewer mothers and infants dying in childbirth
• More people surviving infectious diseases
• Better orthopedic and physical therapy services
• Doctors trained for special medical areas
• Reliable electrical power at the hospital
• Internet service for hospital staff

In an area where many of the people earn less than $100 in a year, the local staff have no hope of pulling off a project like this on their own. So we have committed to raise $500,000 over two years for the Karawa project–while continuing our annual $325,000 support to the system.

If you’ve ever wanted to be part of something that really, deeply matters, this is it!