Fostering Health
HEAL Africa is a teaching hospital in Goma. Recognized as a tertiary level referral hospital, it is one of only three referral hospitals in the DR Congo.
The 197-bed hospital provides general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology (including fistula repair), pediatrics, internal medicine, as well as providing a range of Family Medicine care and consultations. Our emergency room treats victims of gunshot wound, vehicular accidents, and workplace injuries. Area residents come to the hospital for quality eye care and dentistry. We also offer assistance with tests and procedures. The laboratory and diagnostic services are continually being upgraded even though they currently rank among the best in eastern DRC.
HEAL Africa is the hospital of choice for good care in the region. It serves as the referral center for the most difficult cases in the region.
The hospital staff includes 16 specialized doctors, 13 Medical Residents and 79 nurses, 12 handlign administration, and over 30 support staff. It has earned the support of several international organizations including USAID, IRC, UNICEF, COSECSA and Engenderhealth, who have all invested in HEAL Africa staff, equipment, and infrastructure.
Current Hospital Services
We are always working towards improving our services. As the only tertiary hospital in the area, we also seek to train more staff in order to provide additional specialized services.
- Dentistry
- Endoscopy
- General Surgery
- HIV/AIDS Testing And Treatment
- Internal Medicine
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Services, including Biochemestry, Bacteriology, Parasitology and Hematology
- Medical Imaging
- Obstetrics And Gynecology, including specialized Fistula care
- Ophtalmology
- Pediatrics and Children’s Health
Public Health
Access to adequate health facilities or care remains a challenge in Congo.
As a preventative measure, we conduct public health education focused on the treatment and prevention of HIV, as well as basic health and hygiene. In distant villages, we send medical practitioners and community development workers to offer health care and to support local health facilities with services they are not equipped to deliver. Out publuc health activities attract hundreds of people seeking care who never would have had the chance to travel to Goma. During the several weeks that our medical staff spends in each village, they also provide training for the local health professionals. The services range from basic public health education on hygiene, AIDS/HIV prevention, clubfeet, to major fistula operations.
HIV TREATMENT & PREVENTION
The prevalence of AIDS/HIV is immense in Africa, and eastern DRC is not exempt. HEAL Africa focuses on three categories of children with HIV. Those born with HIV positive mothers, those who are confirmed HIV positive, and those who have been orphaned as a result of neglect by caregivers and/or community upon contracting the disease.
We provide personal counseling and medical assistance. The outreach staff also conduct community education projects in communities that focus on prevention, support, and reducing the impact of HIV in a child’s life when they are born from infected mothers.
The majority of illnesses can be prevented through basic health and hygiene practices. HEAL Africa’s staff examines current behavior and use dialogue with community members to discuss practices that can prevent basic health issues. For many communities who are organized, leaders through the Nehemiah Initiative, are often trained to educate other community members for effectiveness and efficiency.
The Safe Motherhood program also offers another avenue for public education. While learning about maternal health proper birthing practices, HEAL Africa’s outreach staff maximizes the opportunity by teaching women about continued basic health practices. Within the same community, HEAL Africa also provides similar training for both young men and women with a sex education component.
BASIC HEALTH & HYGIENE
The majority of illnesses can be prevented through basic health and hygiene practices. Our staff examines current behavior and use dialogue with community members to discuss practices that can prevent basic health issues. For many communities who are organized, leaders through the Nehemiah Initiative are trained to educate other community members for effectiveness and efficiency.
The Safe Motherhood program also offers another avenue for public education. While learning about maternal health and proper birthing practices, our staff maximizes the opportunity by teaching women about continued basic health practices. Within the same community, we also provide similar training for both young men and women, with a sex education component.