Why We Work in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Political upheaval and violent unrest have taken a heavy toll on DRC’s healthcare infrastructure. There is also a horrifying use of sexual violence in the country. For these reasons and others, DRC has been called “the worst place on earth to be a woman.”
Over half of the Congolese population lives in rural areas, where health resources are spread thin—and in high demand. Even simply getting to the hospital can be close to impossible, with dirt roads that are completely flooded and impassable for months on end.
All of these factors play a role in the DRC’s high incidence of obstetric fistula, and there is consistently more demand for fistula treatment than local hospitals can keep up with. As a result, there is a long backlog of Congolese women waiting for treatment.
What You Help Us Do
We are investing in the following areas to build DRC’s in-country medical services and provide life-transforming surgery to as many women as possible:
Meet Our Partners
We identify local surgical teams in DRC already successfully treating women with fistula—and then work to amplify their efforts.
Who are our current partners?
- Artemedis
- Location: Tshikaji, Isiro, Kamina, Kaziba, Banalia, Luebo, Moba, and Tshikapa
- Partner Since: 2019
- Fistula Program DRC (FisPro DRC)
- Location: Butembo and Kinshasa
- Partner Since: 2020
- HEAL Africa
- Location: Benaleka and Karawa
- Partner Since: 2011
- Maendeleo Fistula Care
- Location: Durba, Haut-Uélé
- Partner Since: 2023
- Panzi Hospital
- Location: Kabinda, Kabongo, Kamina, Kole, Lodja, Mwene-Ditu, Gemena, Malemba-Nkulu, Mbaya, Ngandajika, Tandala, and Zongo
- Partner Since: 2009
- Rwankole Hospital
- Location: Adi and Bunia
- Partner Since: 2021
- Vanga Evangelical Hospital
- Location: Vanga
- Partner Since: 2022
Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA International)
- Location: Lubumbashi, Kalemie, Kananga, Luebo, and Tshikaji
- Partner In: 2016 – 2018
Below are funding totals since the start of each partnership.
Current Partners
- Artemedis: $1,804,439
- Fistula Program DRC (FisPro DRC): $640,630
- HEAL Africa: $2,194,633
- Maendeleo Fistula Care: $20,545.00
- Panzi Hospital: $4,468,029
- Rwankole Hospital: $285,164
- Vanga Evangelical Hospital: $38,205
Past Partner
- Women and Health Alliance International (WAHA International): $615,875