MPASA Medical Facility

Launch and Early Support

In 2001, the Congo Partnership was officially launched, initiating support for the Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center, located in a refugee area outside Kinshasa. This center was initially started by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee of Relief) amid the refugee crisis of the late 1990s, when people fled to Congo from regions such as South Sudan, Angola, and eastern Congo.

Facility Improvements and Service Expansion

Significant enhancements have been made to the Mpasa Medical Center, including the 2017 construction of a new Pediatric Center featuring two surgical suites, as well as renovations to the existing maternity and other buildings. This facility provides significantly improved conditions for patient care, with clean and well-furnished operating rooms equipped with cabinetry for storing surgical instruments, sterile supplies, and medications. Specialized equipment—including an incubator for newborns, an ultrasound machine, and a suction machine for surgery—were also acquired. With two solar-powered refrigerators, the government now stocks blood for transfusions, addressing a critical need that previously resulted in deaths from hemorrhage during surgery and childbirth. The pediatric center includes a dedicated room for children, allowing separation from adults with communicable diseases, and an improved laboratory for accurate diagnostics. The installation of solar power has enabled the medical center to operate with electricity around the clock for the first time. These improvements have elevated the quality of care provided to thousands of Mpasa residents. The center has also become the hub of medical care for the entire community, thanks to new government medical services such as vaccinations and family planning.

Recognition and New Government Programs

In 2019, Mpasa Medical Center was recognized for its high-quality medical care and designated as a site for several government programs. These include family planning, vaccinations, new initiatives for people with handicapping conditions, and a blood bank. Life-saving equipment, such as incubators and ultrasound machines, has further improved patient outcomes.

Training and Workforce Development

Mpasa Medical Center serves as a training center for medical students from John Wesley University, thereby expanding the workforce and preparing new professionals for the future. The Partnership continues to support Mpasa by purchasing essential equipment like incubators, microscopes, and ultrasound machines, which have proven vital in saving lives. The center remains a key maternity and pediatric facility for the larger community.

Leadership and Ongoing Support

Under the leadership of Dr. Adolphe Yamba Yamba, Mpasa Medical Center continues to serve thousands of refugees and impoverished individuals in the greater Mpasa area.