Surgical & Obstetrical care in North Kivu

Are you an anaesthesiologist, gynaecologist or surgeon in training? Are you looking for an international project to promote surgical and obstetrical care in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

Renowned Belgian doctor Dr. Reginald Moreels is actively looking for anaesthesiological residents who are motivated to help him improve the surgical care in North Kivu.
Dates are still to be confirmed, but if the international travel resumes, Dr. Reginald Moreels will start his next mission in February 2021.

Background:

The Congolese city Beni and the province North Kivu stand for a challenge. On the one hand, the region holds an enormous potential in terms of economic development, social progress and tourist attraction. However, on the other hand, the region remains an area where civilians still are the victims of poverty and battles between rebel groups. 

The absence of qualitative surgery and obstetrics is not only a problem in Beni but also in Central Africa, where its absence is responsible for 28% mortality and 32% lost of quality years.

The main objectives  of UNICHIR are: 

➢ Launching a ‘center of excellence’ in surgical and obstetric care, including cancer surgery and vesico-vaginal fistulas. 

➢ This center also carries the ambition of providing training to candidate surgeons and obstetricians as well as nurse trainees.

The mission’s specifics: 

• Location: Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Resident requirements:
  • Senior resident in General Surgery with knowledge of basic urology
  • Senior resident in Anaesthesiology with interest in training local doctors
  • Senior resident in Gynaecology/Obstetrics
• Language skills: must be able to function professionally in French.
• Funding: a personal contribution will be required, to be discussed with UNICHIR.
• Insurance: no travel insurance provided.

(Pictures reproduced with permission from VIER. Copyright 2020.)