Uvira General Referral Hospital

Uvira General Referral Hospital
Ministry of Public Health
David Gressly welcomed by the Director of the Uvira General Reference Hospital
Geography
Location	Uvira, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Coordinates	3.3912°S 29.139°E / -3.3912; 29.139
Organisation
Funding	Public
Type	General
Services
Emergency department	Yes
History
Opened	1952; 72 years ago (1952)
Links
Lists	Hospitals in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Uvira General Referral Hospital (French: Hôpital Général de Référence d'Uvira) is a medical center located in Uvira, in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As a general hospital, it provides a broad spectrum of medical services, including primary, secondary, and tertiary care. The hospital's services include emergency care, surgical procedures, maternal and pediatric services, and treatment for various medical conditions.^[1][2]

In partnership with the German government, facilitated through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Medeor Action, the Women's Association for the Promotion and Endogenous Development (AFPDE) launched the construction of mortuaries at the hospital in March 2013.^[3]

Location

The hospital is strategically positioned within the urban-rural health zone of Uvira in the South Kivu, specifically within the Bavira Chiefdom. It is situated along the main road that connects the provincial capital, Bukavu, to the administrative center of Fizi Territory.^[4]

Geographically, the hospital is flanked to the east by the expansive Lake Tanganyika, to the west by the Mitumba Mountains, to the north by the commercial area of Mulongwe, and to the south by the locales of Kimanga and Songo. The hospital is located approximately 128 kilometres (80 mi) from Bukavu and 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Bujumbura.^[4]

History

The hospital was constructed in 1952 through the initiative of the Indigenous Welfare Fund (Fonds du Bien-être Indigène; FBI). The construction project was overseen by Mr. Khulpe, a Belgian construction director. Initially, the hospital was conceived as a surgical medical center, with Dr. Louis Rousseau, the inaugural physician, at its helm.^[5] Dr. Rousseau was ably assisted by two religious sisters, nurses, and twenty-three lay nursing aides. The institution was instrumental in delivering healthcare services across the Uvira Territory and its vicinities.^[5]

In 1980, the hospital was officially recognized as a general refferal hospital within the rural health zone of Uvira. Since that time, it has played a vital role in offering comprehensive medical care to the area. Currently, the hospital is led by Dr. Bahati Bagale Yves, a Congolese surgeon.^[5]

Organization

The hospital is structured into several administrative divisions, which include the Secretariat, Finance, General Workers, and Other Support Staff.^[4]

Secretariat: Tasked with clerical and administrative responsibilities, the Secretariat division is composed of:^[4]

• Secretary
• Typist Clerk
• Office Assistant

Finance: The finance department oversees the hospital's financial transactions, accounting, and reception activities. Personnel in this sector include:^[4]

• Accountant
• Cashier
• Receptionists
• Auditor

General Workers: This group includes attendants and personnel responsible for assisting patients as well as maintaining facility security and upkeep. Key roles within this division include:^[4]

• Male Attendants
• Female Attendants
• Guards
• Gardeners

Other Support Staff: Additional personnel are dedicated to providing specialized maintenance and tailoring services that support hospital operations. Team members are:^[4]

• Maintenance Workers
• Tailor

Services

Medical services

The medical services include:^[1][4]

• Internal medicine
• Surgery
• General and clinical pediatrics
• Obstetrics and gynaecology

Para-medical services

Para-medical services include:^[1][4]

• Laboratory
• Medical imaging: ultrasound X-ray
• Pharmacy: deposit and truth
• Physiotherapy

Specialized services

Specialized services include:^[1][4]

• External consultation: generalist, specialist
• CNT, CTC, dentistry

See also

• Lemera Hospital
• List of hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

References

1. Patient, Eninga Mulamba (2011). "Problématique de l'accueil du malade dans un milieu hospitalier et son impact sur la qualité de soins. Cas de l'hôpital général de référence d'Uvira en RDC" [Problem of welcoming patients in a hospital environment and its impact on the quality of care. Case of the Uvira general reference hospital in the DRC] (in French). Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d'Uvira (ISTM-Uvira). Retrieved 8 June 2023.
2. "Un équipement médical remis à l'hôpital général de référence d'Uvira" [Medical equipment delivered to the Uvira general reference hospital]. Radio Okapi (in French). 21 March 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
3. AFPDE (11 April 2023). "Lancement de travaux de construction d'une morgue moderne à l'hôpital général de référence d'Uvira et à l'hôpital général de référence de Sange" [Launch of construction work on a modern morgue at the Uvira general referral hospital and the Sange general referral hospital]. Afpde.org (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2023.
4. Vial, Honorée (2009). "Rapport annuel 2009 de l'Hôpital Général de Référence d'Uvira" [2009 annual report of the Uvira General Reference Hospital]. Slideplayer.fr (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2023.
5. "Hôpital Général de Référence d'Uvira" [Uvira General Reference Hospital]. Les Bavira Benembuga (in French). Retrieved 8 June 2023.