The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care education for the people of the Congo.

Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital
The hospital opened in December 2007 and has treated over 120,000 patients. The hospital has a number of training partnerships. Medical schools such as the University of Kinshasa and the University of Lubumbashi send us their fellows, residents and medical students. The bio-medical technicians have been sent to the U.S. for training. They have a relationship with the new medical school of the Protestant University of the Congo. In 2014, their first promotion will start their clinical rotations at the hospital. They also train student nurses.

The major goal is to ensure the sustainability of the hospital as an institution providing high quality health care to people regardless of their economic conditions and to train a cadre of health care professionals who will extend the vision and the reach of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation into the future. To that end:

1. Dikembe Mutombo Foundation continues to train staff and have put an emphasis on training bio-medical staff to keep the equipment in good working condition.

2. Dikembe Mutombo Foundation has developed alliances and partnerships to start new programs and get the resources necessary to cover the cost of the treatment of the patients. Some creative solutions have included providing seed money for a health cooperative, partnering with a microfinance organization and working with large local employers to put in place agreements for prepaid health care.

3. The dynamic Board of Directors has launched a capital campaign to raise funds for an endowment fund. The success of this program will free us partially from the daily struggle of balancing resources with the overwhelming needs of the people that serve in the Congo. Dikembe Mutombo Foundation continuously seeks advice and resources from donors and other individuals who understand these issues and who share the common vision.

This work is very challenging, but at the same time so incredibly fulfilling. Each timethey see a Congolese woman who has been ostracized by her community due to a fistula, and each time such a woman can rejoin her community after surgical treatment at the hospital, they celebrate. They also cry when see children and adults die from health conditions that could have been easily prevented or treated.

Future Projects
To build an elementary school outside the capital city of Kinshasa with an emphasis on science and technology.

To build a Welcome House adjacent to the hospital that will accommodate volunteer physicians, nurses, medical students, skilled technicians and educators from abroad. The construction of a guest house will alleviate the expense of a hotel and shorten travel time to the hospital for visitors.