A neonatology unit at HKK

The Kimbanguiste Hospital of Kinshasa (HKK) is located in the municipality of Kimbanseke, the most populated and one of the poorest commune in Kinshasa (capital of the DRC). In 2015 the rate of Infant Mortality was 25.6 %, which is about 3 times higher than the national average of 7.5 %.

HKK is a reference hospital and also the largest health care facility in Kimbanseke . It has a maternity and a pediatric ward, but unfortunately there is no neonatal unit. Currently when a sick newborn is born at the HKK, He/she has to be redirected to another center. As HKK does not have the means to ensure the transfer of these sick newborns, currently it is being done by families mostly through public transport with all the risks that it has for these very fragile babies. This delay in the care of the sick newborns increases the risk of infections which often leads to the death of these infants. Establishing a neonatal unit is therefore a necessity for the HKK, in order to avoid any transfer of these sick newborns.

This is why CDV has chosen to work with the HKK in order to create a neonatology unit to avoid the transfer of sick newborns.

The CDV’s activities within this project will be diverse:

– CDV team will undertake the theoretical and practical training of HKK medical and paramedical staff.

– CDV will provide financial support for the acquisition of equipment for the opening of the neonatology unit.

– Once the neonatal unit is opened, financial assistance will be granted by CDV to each child hospitalized in the future neonatal unit to ensure access to care for all.

Some testimonials from HKK’s staff

Franklin Ngala, a doctor at HKK since 2015

“When a premature baby born at HKK, I always find it difficult to tell parents to take your child and go to another center because we do not have enough facility to take care of it here.”

Getou Kiangoma at HKK since 2013.

“The commune of Kimbanseke is semi-rural and HKK is the only reference hospital of this commune. Having a neonatology unit will allow us to decrease the infant mortality rate of the municipality”

Charming, nurse at HKK for 9 years.

“I have always lived in the commune.” Several years ago, I lost my baby brother, he died a few hours after his birth here at HKK just because of lack of the neonatal unit. I really wish for a neonatology unit in HKK. ”

Bicha, a nurse at HKK for 3 years.

“What I’m worried about right now is the loss of infants and the transfer of sick newborns to other centers, once they are out of here we do not know what they would become. ”

Moise, a nurse at HKK for 8 years.

“What reassures me most in this project is the financial aid granted to all sick newborns; so the financial aspect will no longer be a barrier for access to care for the families of our commune”.