On May 6, 2020 medical equipment was delivered to the obstetrics departments of health facilities in the districts of Karisimbi, Rutchuru, Lubero and Goma. The delivery ceremony was held at the Governorate of North Kivu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and was attended by the Governor of North Kivu, Provincial high-level officers, as well as the UNFPA Head of Office and, representing the Italian Cooperation, the Italian consular representative in Goma Mr. Gianni Giusti.
The delivery was part of the the 2019 Italian contribution to the joint UNDP, UNFPA, OHCHR project “Justice – Autonomy and Dignity of women and girls in the Congo” (2018 – 2023). The delivered items included surgical instruments and equipment to hospitals to improve interventions for the treatment of obstetric fistula, and to guarantee better maternal and child support to women victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SBGV). Furthermore, the activities covered by the Italian contribution made possible to strengthen the institutional capacities of health structures and training institutes in the treatment of obstetric fistula, as well as to allow women victims of SGBV to benefit from obstetric services and socio-economic reintegration.
During the ceremony, the Provincial Minister for Health warmly thanked the Italian Cooperation for what has been doing so far, hoping for future partnership and support.
