MONTREAL (Nov. 28, 2012) - With rebel groups and the army on the move in eastern Congo, HEAL Africa's Hospital in Goma is working over capacity in difficult conditions.
"The operating room is being run on a generator around the clock and there is a real need for more medical supplies," said Wes Robinson, emergency coordinator for Health Partners International of Canada.
HPIC is currently building a shipment for the hospital, which is specialized in orthopedic surgery and fistula repair (a condition caused by rape or prolonged labour). The majority of patients are women and children in this country where there is an extremely high incidence of rape. The rape of Congolese women and children is another sad side effect of decades of conflict and war.
HPIC has a longstanding partnership with HEAL Africa and has been sending essential medical supplies for well over a decade. Direct contact with the hospital is maintained on a regular basis so HPIC is well aware of the situation on the ground.
HPIC has secured the support of the Canadian Auto Workers Social Justice Fund and a group of private donors to send a container of medical supplies in the first part of 2013.
"We are calling on our donors and the public to send additional donations in order to send more medical supplies. The needs are especially great at this time. The hospital is tending to many innocent people injured in the fighting. If HPIC can gather enough funding, we could send additional medical supplies instead and offer the container itself to the hospital, which will add capacity," Robinson said.
To make a secure donation online: http://www.hpicanada.ca/donateonline-donatenow.php Or call 1-800-627-1787
To view a report that aired Nov. 26, 2012 on CTV News about HEAL Africa: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=814376
About HPIC
Health Partners International of Canada is a humanitarian not-for-profit relief and development organization dedicated to improving access to medicine and enhancing health in the developing world. HPIC contributes to well-being by providing donated essential medicines, supplies and vaccines, building national health sector capacities, and responding to emergencies and health threats. We partner with a network of ministries of health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and healthcare professionals, with pharmaceutical and healthcare product companies, and with Canadian government departments; and we count on the financial support of individual donors, foundations and corporations. Because of our unique model, HPIC multiplies every donated dollar to provide, without discrimination, at least $10 of free medical aid.
For more information contact:
Christina Parsons
Senior Director, Communications, HPIC
Tel: 514-929-4742
email: cparsons@hpicanada.ca