Improvement of preventive behavior and the quality of medical assistance for women who suffer from obstetric and gynecological problems from the Ciyamba sector in the municipality of Ngandanjika (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

The collaboration between the Probitas and Cauce Foundations has helped 28,288 women from the Ciyamba sector in the municipality of Ngandanjika (Democratic Republic of the Congo). It has contributed to the improvement of preventive behavior and the quality of medical assistance for women who suffer from obstetric and gynecological problems, raising their self-esteem and image in their communities, and reducing situations of social exclusion.

CONTEXT

In Ngandanjika the maternal mortality rate is around 1,289 deaths for every 100,000 live births in mothers which greatly increases the indices of orphans in the territory. Given the deficiencies in care for childbirth, many women suffer grave seculae such as vesico-uterine fistulas, genital prolapses, cystoceles, total uterine prolapses, and stress incontinence. Out of these women who give birth, 1-3% (283 to 850 women) is infected and will transmit the virus to their children.

PROJECT

The objective of the project is to help improve healthcare for the 30,000 women in the Ciyamba sector through the capacity-building of 22 members of the ACFIF in gynecology and obstetrics and the training of local healthcare personnel. A number of awareness campaigns will also be carried out including the capacity-building of 6,645 schoolgirls at the eleven social groups. A main activity will be to construct and furbish a unit specialized in gynecology, obstetrics and pediatrics. In addition, in order to attend those cases who cannot come to the center, a mobile unit will be purchased and equipped with instruments, medication, diagnostic material, and medical tools. Forty-five midwives will be trained to help with births, and visits will be held in the rural communities with the mobile unit.

 In order to ensure the project's success, Prodi and ACFIF will develop a publicity campaign of awareness and training with Radio Ditunga.

Once the project has finished at least 50% of the women in the rural community of Ciyamba will have received training about obstetric and gynecological problems in addition to preventive healthcare regarding information about basic health, nutrition, hygiene, sexuality and maternity.