It is our privilege to reflect on the work of Dr Denis Mukwege of the  Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

Dr Denis Mukwege, Bukavu

 

Dr Denis Mukwege is a gynaecologist, who is working in Bukavu, South Kivu, Eastern Congo. He trained in France but went back to DRC many years ago to serve at a mission hospital in a rural area of South Kivu. 10 years ago he had to flee this region and his hospital was burnt down in the war. Dr Mukwege did not return to France but started a new hospital in Bukavu. He opened a maternity unit, but his first operation was not a caesarean section, but a woman who was destroyed by war – raped by soldiers and with large injuries to her genital organs. Dr Mukwege saved her life and restored her dignity once again. Since that day he has not stopped fighting for the survival of women in the community. He developed an excellent centre for women who were raped, 3600 women are treated at this centre per year. He trained young doctors in this type of surgery and care and developed a psycho-social support network for the women who often could not return home into their villages because of war. He never was afraid to operate on women whether they are living with HIV or not. His work and testimony reaches far not only South Kivu, but all of DRC and on a global level.

He did not only assist women but he started to advocate for the right of the women and families in the villages of South Kivu whose life is at risk because of external forces who exploit the land for coltan, gold and other minerals. Dr Mukwege speaks up and he says: “We do not want money we need peace in our country”.

 

Impact at local and wider level

At local level Dr Mukwege has made a huge impact on the lives of women who are raped or are suffering from VVF, many of whom are HIV positive. In addition he has worked as an advocate for peace in DRC on an international level and has spoken for the many women whose life stories are too sad to tell.

 

Empowers others in integrated community response

In post war Congo, it is not easy to do community work. But Dr Mukwege started a psycho-social service for the women at Panzi hospital. With mobile teams he now reaches rural areas with services for women. In addition as the head of the ECC (Eglise du Christ du Congo) medical work, he mobilises churches and communities to get involved in the healing ministry of the church. He is head of a health zone in Bukavu and coordinates the church health services in 22 health zones throughout South Kivu.

Facilitates Church integration and participation

 

Dr Mukwege is an elder in the church (CEPAC) in Bukavu. He is very much aware of the importance of the integration and participation of the church in the healing ministry and recently started a new approach of envisioning the church to participate in this ministry.

Empowerment of PLWHA

 

Dr Mukwege does not only work with PLWHA but he works with all women who are sexually assaulted, many of whom are HIV positive. They are actively involved in the care and recovery process and many of his counsellors and workers are women who have recovered from such trauma.