6 healthcare providers trained in the management of gynaecological pathologies

« You have to be trained to be able to give the best of yourself to the Congolese nation ». These were the words of Dr. Jonathan MUHINDO LUSI, co-founder and Legal Representative of HEAL Africa, at the opening of the closing ceremony of the training of 6 doctors, nurses and anesthetists from Lubero and Mabalako general referral hospitals, respectively in Beni and Lubero territories on good practices of caesarean section and the management of deliveries in rural areas.

The training of these healthcare providers, including 2 doctors from general reference hospitals, 2 maternity nurses and 2 anesthetists, takes place in a context where obstetrical indicators are still far from improving. The latest Demographic and Health Surveys report that the caesarean section rate evolved from 4% in 2007 to 5% in 2013 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (source: EDS 2013). In this context, many women develop complications at the time of childbirth, complications up to to maternal death or, for survivors, a painful life under the weight of sequelae that can lead to maternal disability.

Politico-administrative authorities of North Kivu province, health authorities including the Head of the Provincial Health Division and the Medical Officer in charge of the Reproductive Health Programme attended the ceremony. The follow-up for the implementation of the knowledge acquired during the training will be done through outreach missions of the mobile uro-gynecology clinic of HEAL Africa Hospital in the mobile surgical clinics planned respectively at the General Reference Hospital of Mabalako and that of Lubero.

Empowering health care providers, improving women’s health

Combined with a poor mastery of certain obstetrical practices, the poor practice of caesarean section is at the root of complications of hospital delivery. Difficulty to consult a health facility in time is another factor in the occurrence of complications.

It was therefore a question of strengthening the technical capacities of the participants on the practice of caesarean section, improving the diagnostic approach and the management of simple obstetric fistula, mastering the patient care circuit, knowing the stages of anesthesia, techniques of local, spinal and general anesthesia. The improvement of pre-anesthetic consultation, post-operative monitoring and nursing for operated patients was part of the training.

Knowledge of the participants on the prevention of fistulas, genital prolapse and other gynecological complications was strengthened during the 2-month training, carried out within the framework of the Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence project in North Kivu province, a project of the Social Funds of DRC carried out with funds from the World Bank.

Provincial Coordinator of the National Reproductive Health Program in North Kivu, Dr. John MUZIGE did not hide his satisfaction with the course and outcome of the training. “HEAL Africa Hospital’s tertiary-level technical platform makes it one of the best learning environments for healthcare staff in eastern DRC. Through this training and all those that preceded, HEAL Africa will have supported the Congolese government’s efforts to improve the health of women,” he said.