UNICEF: Dikembe Mutombo opens hospital in DR Congo

UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a five-day visit to assess the situation of women and children amidst what is widely seen as Africa's worst humanitarian crisis. Here is one in a series of related reports.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 26 August 2009 As this country tries to recover from years of civil war and unrest, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (BMMH) offers hope in an impoverished Kinshasa neighbourhood.

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Mutombo Hospital, opened in 2007, aims to be a model for the rebuilding of a national medical system in DR Congo, where the collapse of the health care infrastructure has left millions vulnerable to a multitude of illnesses that are easily preventable in much of the developed world.

We have suffered a lot, says Dikembe Mutombo, the Congolese-American basketball legend whose foundation built the hospital named in memory of his mother. The civil unrest in the country has destroyed the fabric of our society when it comes to the health care system, he added.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/drcongo_50972.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

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• UNICEF
• Dikembe
• Mutombo
• Ann
• Veneman
• Biamba
• Marie
• children
• health

[biankuba]

if only we had more of people like you doing this type of work we'd be far ahead but sadly so many people go abroad and forget their roots....literally.Thumbs up! In 5 years to come I'll be building one of my own :) not as large but it would be something for the people.

[zuluman2008]

God bless him!! i wish i had the resources i wud save my own people back home too..he is a great african brother..proud of u man..

[DonSlipDubO55]

the BROTHA is on the right path

[voulgier]

A great person on and off the court. People like Mutombo and Battier are people to model after...not Kobe or Lebron. Give back to the community

[cannoir]

lol! the husky voice .

[makabana93]

voila un exemple de celui qui aime son prochain au lieu d'ouvrir des eglises de partout qui ne servent a rien

[dourra]

god bless you brot keep it up, cool kaka sima na yo

[mr1Bizz]

good bless him

[disiciliano]

Thank god people like him exist