Centre Hospitalier Presbyterien de Mbujimayi

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mbujimayi, an industrial diamond mining center in the East Kasai region, is one of the five largest population centers in Zaire. The population has grown to 1.5 million due mainly to a large influx of refugees from the Shaba province as a result of the recent political transition. This rapid growth has placed a significant strain on the educational, health, social and governmental institutions. Housing is inadequate; water is not available in many sections of the city and when available only operates a few hours a week; there is no sewage system; electricity is sporadic; schools are too few, overly crowded and have almost no equipment. There are no state hospitals in the region so the church health care centers are vastly overburdened.

Currently the Mbujimayi Presbyterian Hospital Center, under the direction of Dr. Benoit Nzengu, has a staff of eighty-nine Congolese, including three doctors. MPHC also operates a satellite community development program based in the administrative district of Kabeya Kamaunga which is approximately forty-five kilometers to the west of Mbujimayi. Over 30,000 total patients visit the center each year and any person who needs health care, regardless of ability to pay, is treated with care and efficiency.

The Center operates a consultation outpatient clinic six days a week through its Department of Nursing, which is staffed by one doctor, three laboratory technicians and seven nurses. Five of the nurses dispense drugs and give immunizations. The under-5 clinic associated with the center sees over 40,000 children yearly.

The Tuberculosis Clinic opened in 1981 and currently has approximately 500 patients enrolled. The Eye Clinic opened in the summer of 1988 and is seeing over 4,000 patients. The Family Planning Clinic has over 400 women enrolled. The Nutritional Rehabilitation Clinic was one of the first services offered by the Health Center, beginning in 1981, and about 550 children participate in that program annually. The Preschool Health Clinic operates three days a week and visits established sites within the Dibindi Zone the other two days a week. In addition to the above mentioned programs, the Center also has a School Health Education Program, the Rabbit Raising Program, A Demonstration Gardening Program and provides Pastoral Care and other Educational Services.

The Mbujimayi Community Health Program is assisted by ECO Account # 423102.