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HEAL Africa provides holistic care for the people of Democratic Republic of Congo
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European Union Officials Visit HEAL Africa 2009

  HEAL Africa’s gender-based violence programs in North Kivu and Maniema provinces have extensive networks of counselors in villages who offer both counseling and medical treatment to victims of rape.  These programs have functioned in North Kivu since 2003 and in Maniema since 2005.  The EU delegation was on a study trip to formulate a proposal to address the twin issues of sexual violence and impunity that continue to plague the population of  North Kivu. 

The delegation visited the legal clinic of ABA (American Bar Association) that functions within the HEAL Africa hospital.  This service of legal counsel is available to all patients who wish to submit charges against the rapists.  They were informed that out of 200 cases of reported rape, 60 have been accompanied by ABA’s clinic, but only 21 have been convicted.  Over 14,000 victims of rape have been counseled and referred through HEAL Africa’s programs.  Of 1483 fistulas identified, 1412 have been surgically repaired  (2006- 2009 statistics).  For more information on these programs, click here.