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Accessing healthcare in this extremely rural and isolated region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has always been difficult, and for some, even impossible and non-existent. But all that is changing thanks to a new and modern hospital that will serve 50,000 people, free of charge. Last year, the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project team completed construction of a modern hospital in this highly remote and difficult to access area of the DRC. A full-time medical doctor, nurse and lab technician have been hired for the 25-bed hospital, complete with ultrasound and laboratory equipment. This high-quality, modern healthcare facility is a life- changing and lifesaving addition for the communities that it serves. Already, the hospital has helped to lower maternal mortality rates and was critical to ending a devastating monkeypox outbreak in the region. Watch as Dr Ntoko, who is from the area that he now serves, shares his feelings about the importance of equitable access to healthcare, and the joys of bringing hope to this community.
Covering nearly 300,000 hectares of swamp forest and critical wetlands, the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project partners with over 50,000 local community members to stop deforestation and co-create new economic opportunities. With community self-governance and sustainable job creation at the heart of the project’s strategy, the Mai Ndombe REDD+ project drives direct investments to community-determined projects relating to health, education, clean water, sustainable agriculture and income-generating opportunities. By halting deforestation, this project helps prevent 3.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from entering the atmosphere each year.
