In 2003, DoctorsWorldwide received an appeal from an NGO called RADEM based in Lubumbashi, the 'City of Peace'. Lubumbashi is the main city in Katanga region has a population of approximately 7.2 million, of which 1.5 million are children under five. The city itself has around 1.2 million population. There are also a large number of Internally Displaced People living in the area due to conflicts in the north-east of the country. RADEM has been running a clinic from the area of Gambela. DWW started to support RADEM from January 2004.
RADEM (Recherche et action pour un developpement multisectoriel) was established by Jibrill Kasongo Dr Paul Mawaw and joined later. They are now co-directors of RADEM.The people who work for RADEM are volunteers. DWW has been doing all of Congo projects with them. RADEM has very strong community support and very good relations with local health officials. For further information visit www.radem.org.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
1. RADEM maternity clinic in Gambela / Lubumbashi: This is the first clinic was set up by RADEM. A local businessman donated this building for one year to use free of charge as maternity. It is in underserved area of Lubumbashi. There is no other government or NGO clinic around. So it is vital for local community. DWW has been paying rent for the building since January 2004. DWW has provided fund and RADEM bought the building recently. This clinic currently provides maternity as well as child health and inpatient services to a population of approximately 11000 .
2. Minor operations (circumcision): DWW has done more than 20,000 minor ops in Katanga region and 10,000 more will be done till the end of October 2005. Even in government hospitals charge $15 for this operation which DWW offers free of charge. People come from 5-7 miles away on foot for this service. It was done in Lubumbashi as well as other towns (Likasi, Kipushi, Kolwezi, Kamina, Luena). There is growing need and request from the community for this service, as it is also preventive measure for HIV/AIDS.
NEW PROJECTS
1. New clinic in Lubumbashi: The new clinic is in a new residential area (Hewa Bora) which is a mainly poor people building homes (actually one or two rooms barracks). It has two buildings. One is surgical the other one is maternity. We will have operating theatre, in the surgical building so it will help more people. There are inpatient wards at both buildings. Currently two building has been completed and admin/guest-house building is on progress. British charity Muslim Aid has granted fund for equipment. The equipment includes operation theatre will be set up in October and the clinic will be fully functional in November 2005. This clinic will strengthen current HIV and malaria related programs, in addition to addressing other health issues and training.
2. Kamina maternity: Kamina is 700 km way from Lubumbashi. It is very poor part of Katanga. Population is around 115,000. DWW has already transferred the funds to set up a maternity clinic there. The clinic will be fully functional at the end of September 2005. DWW will pay the running expenses too.
3. Likasi maternity: Likasi is 120 km from Lubumbashi and has 367,000 population. There is a place in Likasi to set up a maternity clinic there. When we secure funds we will set up a maternity there.
4. Anaemia project: DWW is planning to set up an anaemia screening programme in Hewa Bora area (where the new clinic built). The area is about 20,000 population. In Congo under five population is around 18% of total population. There is high rate of intestinal parasites and malnutrition causing anaemia there. This will be a pilot study to collect information about the need and extend of the problems. After this project we can extend our work according to need.