Health Care
your health is your wealth
Millions of children in Africa are malnourished. Malnutrition and poor health affect a child’s future prosperity
Make a Donation
Your Health is Your Wealth
Manutrition Centre Healthcare workers
Health Care givers
PROLASA Health Care
PROLASA Health Care Services provides free and /or inexpensive services to the people in the vicinity of Lake Kivu. PROLASA Idjwi Medical Centre on Idwji is currently in operation.
PROLASA Idjwi Medical Centre
The Idjwi Medical Centre offers services in General Surgery, Medical Laboratory and Blood Bank which is kept running with the aid of solar energy. The Island inhabitants also come to the clinic to receive malaria treatment and education on basic hygiene and how to take care of themselves.
Idjwi Medical Centre
Malnutrition Centre
The centre located next to the Idjwi Medical Centre was established by Brianna; a young lady from the USA It serves as a dietary rehabilitation unit for malnourished children. Inadequate diet and underlying diseases have contributed to increased malnutrition cases on the island. The centre offers training programmes to parents on how to prepare a balanced diet, how to grow wholesome food and how to prevent diseases such as malaria. Claudine; one of the care givers is a nurse at the centre and a former graduate of UNILAI.
Get Involved
Muchulo Pygmy Clinic
This centre is at the heart of the Muchulo Pygmy site (see Projects) and it serves to provide midwifery services to the Pygmy women. Infant mortality rate is high in this community and the clinic which is still under construction will serve as a health care centre for the Pygmies. Currently, Dr. Jarediove Maombi and Nurse Gervais Dushime, former graduates of UNILAI, are working at this clinic.
**Healthcare Heroes of Idjwi: Dr. Jarediove Maombi and Nurse Gervais Dushime**
Dr. Jarediove Maombi and Nurse Gervais Dushime are dedicated healthcare professionals from Idjwi, both contributing significantly to the well-being of their community. Dr. Maombi, with his extensive medical training, brings expertise and compassionate care to his patients. Nurse Dushime, known for his exceptional nursing skills, works tirelessly to provide quality healthcare services and support to those in need. Together, they are valued members of PROLASA, committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes in the region.
Get Involved
Update April 2025
We are trying to teach hygiene in an attempt to prevent diseases such as cholera, malaria, gastroenteritis and amoebic dysentery. We are also trying to offer psychological support to those who have had to flee their home due to the war in order to prevent psychiatric disease from developing.
During the month of March we cared for 262 patients as follows:
- 105 children were seen for consultations. 15 were hospitalized and 1 died
- 80 women were seen for consultations. 12 were hospitalized and there were no deaths
- 60 men were seen for consultations. 13 were hospitalized and there were no deaths
- 10 patients had to be referred for surgical care
- 6 women participated in prenatal consultations
Difficulties Encountered:
- We have numerous people who come to solicit care who are not Pygmies but who are nevertheless vulnerable. Their vulnerability has increased because of the security issues and the difficulty in finding food.
- There are also people coming from the surrounding villages who are sick and extremely poor. They desire charitable care even though they are not Pygmies.
- We are in desperate need of a place where we can provide inpatient care to those who are seriously ill. We are being forced to provide this care in patient homes including the administration of IV fluids and IV medications. This is often in less than desirable conditions.
- The lack of adequate laboratory capacity to make correct diagnoses. We need to improve the quality of our laboratory.
Needs:
- We need to stock up on medical supplies because due to the war in Bukavu and Goma, it is difficult to get the medical supplies when we need them. As a result, we are accumulating our needs from month to month. We are soon not going to be able to provide the necessary care.
- We need to continue the construction of our health centre so that we can better care for those who are ill and in need.
- Often we need to care for patients around the clock and there are just two of us to provide this care. If we had the capacity to hire one or two more medical personnel it would decrease the workload for the two of us.
April statistics:
Honoring a Milestone of Service: Congratulations, Dr. Jarediove Maombi, on Your Official Recognition! Celebrating Excellence, Dedication, and the Power of Compassionate Medicine
Dear Supporter,
Being aware and appreciative of the positive impact of our project to the indigenous community, to the employees and the community in general because of your dedication, we send you our greetings and our thanks.
I am pleased to have been officially registered with the College of Physicians of the DRCongo with a licence no: CNOM 47118, a registration which is because of our endless work for the indigenous Pygmies. This is a very important recognition for a physician in the DRCongo.
It is to be noted that in order to be registered, one has to pass an exam, in which I got a result of 70% which was the highest distinction. This step is very helpful in the practice of my medical career (especially in view of the fact that our health centre is under construction and my taking of the Hippocratic Oath) and it will allow me to consider taking a specialty one day.
We want to thank all those who have contributed financially, because without that financial support, we would never have been able to reach this stage. May God continue to give you strength and enable you to work for his neglected people and to ultimately give you the crown of success.
-Dr. Jarediove Maombi
Muchulo Health Centre Construction -- Next Phase
Log being transported for the construction of the health centre.
Update May 2025
Health Centre Activities
Total patients cared for: 244
Children — 90
Women — 80
Men — 60
Prenatal Consultations – 7
Difficult Cases that had to be referred – 7
Deaths – 0
68% of the cases were upper respiratory infections.
Update June 2025
Food Situation on the Island of Idjwi
Food supplies for the Patmos Children’s Village and the Muchulo Pygmy Village come from the cities of Goma and Bukavu. Because of the political instability and the occupation of these two cities, the cost of food has doubled and tripled. This is making food very difficult to obtain.
Healthcare Update – July 2025
Progress at the Muchulo Health Centre Construction Site
In July, residents of both Muchulo and Boza Pygmy Villages came together to help repair the road leading to the new Muchulo Health Centre. Heavy rains had severely damaged the route, but with the community’s commitment and teamwork, the worst sections were cleared and reinforced. Although the repairs are not yet complete, the remaining work is expected to finish in August.
Ongoing Construction Challenges
Construction of the Muchulo Health Centre has continued despite significant weather-related setbacks. July, typically a dry month, brought unseasonal and persistent rainfall, hindering progress. Our urgent priority is to complete the walls and secure a roof to prevent further damage. We are actively seeking support to help us finish this critical phase of construction.
Restoration of the Water System
The Muchulo community’s water supply system was restored this month following damage caused by vandalism. The broken PVC piping was repaired, and clean drinking water is now once again flowing to the village—an essential step in safeguarding public health.
Medical Services in July
Our local medical team cared for 190 patients this month, including 70 children, 57 women, and 45 men. Five patients required transfer to a larger hospital, and nine women received prenatal care. We are grateful to report that there were no deaths during this period.
However, a growing concern is the number of malnutrition cases being treated—particularly among those coming from areas outside Muchulo. The ongoing conflict, limited access to supply centers like Goma and Bukavu, and soaring food prices have made basic nutrition increasingly difficult to secure. Even within Muchulo Village, several children are affected. We continue to do all we can to respond to these urgent medical and nutritional needs.
Construction Begins on New Staff Apartment at Muchulo
We’re excited to announce the start of construction on a new staff apartment in Muchulo for PROLASA International. This project is an important step in supporting our dedicated team by providing secure and comfortable on-site housing. Once completed, the apartment will enhance staff well-being and improve the efficiency of our ongoing work in the community.
Investing in Those Who Serve
Launching New Staff Housing at Muchulo
A Vision of The Future
A Home for our Team, A Future for The Community
Estimated Budget for the Construction of a Staff Apartment at Muchulo (PROLASA International)
Total Estimate: $33,639.80
I. Preliminary Work
-
Site preparation: $700
Subtotal: $700
II. Foundation
-
Site layout, string, beams, boards, nails, stones, sand, gravel, cement, rebar, and wire
Subtotal: $3,885.50
III. Wall Construction (Elevation)
-
Plastic sheeting, cement blocks (4,000), cement, sand, gravel, rebar, and tie wire
Subtotal: $7,510
IV. Roofing
-
Planks, beams, nails, roof sheets (105), washers, gutters, fasteners, elbows, glue, downspouts, screws
Subtotal: $2,916
V. Flooring
-
Stones, cement, sand, ceramic tiles (60×60 and 20×40)
Subtotal: $3,342
VI. Finishing
-
Sand, cement, mesh
Subtotal: $2,210
VII. Ceiling
-
Beams, plywood, nails
Subtotal: $646
VIII. Painting
-
Various paint colors and latex, 90L oil
Subtotal: $2,332.50
IX. Carpentry
-
Doors and windows
Total: $950
X. Plumbing
-
Fixtures and accessories
Total: $1,150
XI. Electrical
-
Solar panel installation
Total: $1,100
Miscellaneous
-
Contingency: $650.70
-
Transport: $650.70
-
Labor: $5,597.40
✅ Grand Total: $33,639.80
Muchulo Pygmy Village Projects
1) Construction of a house for some of the employees
2) Construction of a small shop/cantine — $
3) Finishing work on the Pygmy homes
4) Construction of additional latrines
5) Classroom modifications and improvements at the elementary school
6) Purchase of two neighbouring plots of land
7) Repainting of the administration building and the Director’s home
8) Construction of a kitchen and a modern toilet for the director’s home and guest room.
Health Centre Construction
Construction of The Health Centre
Hope has a Home Here
Young Gentlemen who Have Been Trained as Masons
Strong Walls, Stronger Community
Progress
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
Your contribution will go a long way in bringing a smile on another soul