Otema Hospital
A Congolese initiative serving the most vulnerable
Otema Hospital was born from the vision of Dr Tony Elonge, a Congolese doctor from Sankuru province. The word Otema, in the Otetela language, means at once the heart, the breast and the womb of a woman – powerful symbols that embody the hospital’s mission: to protect life from its very beginnings.
Located in Lodja, one of the largest urban centres in the region, Otema Hospital meets a crucial need: to offer quality medical care, accessible to all, particularly to women and children.
Fistula surgery: a vital humanitarian action
In a region where the birth rate is high but maternal and child mortality remains dramatic, Otema Hospital places maternal and child health at the heart of its work. The aim is to restore dignity, independence and safety to women, while ensuring a healthier future for children.
Obstetric and traumatic fistulas are one of the silent tragedies that Otema Hospital strives to treat as a priority. These serious injuries, often caused by poorly supervised childbirth or sexual violence, leave women incontinent and socially marginalised.
In the Congo, where violence against women is sometimes used as a weapon of war, these conditions are unfortunately common. The Sankuru, although far from the spotlight, is not spared.
Given the scarcity of facilities able to perform this type of surgery, Otema Hospital has set up a fistula surgery sponsorship programme. These operations, although complex, allow a return to normal life in most cases, provided the patient receives careful post-operative follow-up and appropriate psychological support.
Medical services
- An inpatient ward
- An operating theatre
- An emergency department
- An imaging consultation centre: ultrasound
- A medical analysis laboratory
- A pharmacy
The site, located on the immediate outskirts of Lodja, covers 11 hectares. Donated by the local authorities, it provides a peaceful environment for patients and enough land in reserve to develop new services over time
Lodja: a town at the heart of the Sankuru
Lodja, with its 300,000 inhabitants, serves a population estimated at more than 1.5 million people. It is developing rapidly, often out of step with its infrastructure. In this context, Otema Hospital plays a strategic role by providing essential health services for the whole region.
A solidarity-based approach with international roots
Otema Hospital is a Congolese institution, founded by Congolese people for Congolese people. Its approach is local, but its vision is global. Thanks to the support of international partners – NGOs and volunteer doctors – the hospital benefits from a constant strengthening of its capacities, both human and material.
This hybrid model combines local roots with openness to global medical expertise, for the greatest benefit of local populations.
The MEDAF association actively supports the development of Otema Hospital, convinced that the health of women and children is the first condition of a fair and strong society. Thanks to your donations and your mobilisation, we can help Dr Elonge’s team to transform the lives of thousands of people in a lasting way.