Save a Mom's Life in the Congo

International Medical Corps’ two Reproductive Health Complexes in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are equipped to provide the highest level of gynecological and obstetric surgical care. Located in Chambucha and Kalonge, this project has helped to improve the health and well-being of 70,000 women of child-bearing age.

A strong stigma surrounds gender-based violence (GBV), which prevents many women from going to a health facility to avoid drawing attention to their situation.  Less than 1% of rape victims arrive at a health facility within 72 hours of the attack, making it difficult to prevent sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS with post-exposure prophylaxis, and reducing chances of preventing pregnancy with emergency contraception.

International Medical Corps’ project helped address these needs by establishing a well-equipped facility in accessible locations that are staffed by trained, qualified medical personnel who can now provide a wide range of maternal and reproductive health services, including prenatal and postnatal care, emergency obstetric care, fistula and other gynecological surgeries, clinical care for sexual assault survivors, and education and counseling on family planning and other reproductive and maternal health issues. In coordination with the provincial government, International Medical Corps has successfully trained 171 health workers in primary health care, pregnancy risk, family planning and reproductive health, and emergency obstetrical care.  With these skills, they will not only provide treatment but also prevent the development of complex reproductive health problems.

International Medical Corps also strengthened 65 health facilities in order to provide quality healthcare to GBV survivors, while 460 medical and paramedical service providers were trained in evidence-based clinical care for sexual assault survivors.

To promote women’s rights and protection at the community level, International Medical Corps supported the creation of four Gender Task Forces in accessible health areas in the project area. The task forces carried out monthly meetings with International Medical Corps’ guidance to find solutions to identified practices that increase vulnerabilities to GBV, and improve awareness and suggest actions to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. The traditional birth attendants in these communities supported by International Medical Corps took a strong lead in the task force activities. 

International Medical Corps continues to be committed to improving the lives of women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We thank you for your continued commitment, as well.

Over the last two years, International Medical Corps has built two Reproductive Health Complexes in Kalonge and Chambucha, the first facilities of their kind to provide fistula repair. The complexes serve over 70,000 women.

Over 98% of all fistulas (gynecological ruptures) in DRC are caused by a lack of proper obstetric care. Indeed, every pregnancy carries some risk: 15% of all pregnancies have a life-threatening complication requiring emergency obstetric care. Access to qualified medical facilities and care is crucial for all pregnant women, as they are susceptible to preventable disease, disability, and death. The success of emergency maternal and reproductive medical interventions relies as much on well-equipped facilities and well-trained personnel as it does on timeliness. At the Reproductive Health Complexes, women can get the proper care to prevent and treat fistulas and other obstetric complications.

In addition to general reproductive health care at the two Reproductive Health Complexes, women can also seek treatment for sexual gender-based violence. 1,762 sexual gender-based violence survivors received care at 65 supported health facilities, and 842 survivors were provided with post-exposure prophylaxis. The stigma surrounding sexual gender-based violence is strong, and often prevents women from going to a health facility for care as they want to prevent drawing attention to their situation.

International Medical Corps' efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo would not have been possible without your help. We thank you for your generosity as we continue our focus on women in the DRC, and we welcome your continued support.