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HealthEd Connect's Global Scale

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Acknowledged by many as the poorest country in the world, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a mineral-rich, war-torn country that has seen 2.7 million people die as a direct result of its civil war or from the resulting famine and wide-spread disease.1

These conditions frequently prevent communication between Sherri and the Community Health Workers, or Wasaidizi, she initially trained in1992. In spite of many obstacles, the Wasaidizi maintain their role as volunteer health workers providing whatever health services they can.

They worked tirelessly to stop a debilitating tropical leg ulcer epidemic among the children by making traditional antiseptic from guava leaves. They subsequently became celebrities up and down the Luapula river and were even invited to be consultants in neighboring countries. The Wasaidizi later mobilized the entire community to combat Bilharzia through the building of latrines and the clearing of snail-harboring habitat from the river.

In 2007 when Sherri visited after a lengthy absence she asked them what they considered to be their single biggest need. Knowing their needs were extensive, she expected them to say things like clinics, or a jeep to transport ill people to the hospital, or basic supplies for safe deliveries of babies. Instead she received the unanimous and immediate response, “We need more training and education. We want to be sure we’re providing current and correct health practices, especially in delivering babies.” Subsequently, a 6-month Traditional Birth Attendant training program was arranged at the District hospital for 20 women who now safely deliver hundreds of babies annually.

The Wasaidizi work primarily along the banks of the Luapula River in Kasenga District. They are currently spearheading efforts to make mud bricks for the construction of a small one-room clinic where mothers can deliver their babies. They have also noted the resurgence of Bilharzia with the arrival of new families in their villages and have requested assistance in ramping up a program to address this debilitating and often fatal disease.

1 BBC, October 3, 2009 report