Critical medical transport arrives in Oicha as humanitarian crisis deepens
In a move to strengthen emergency healthcare services in a region under severe strain, a life-saving medical ambulance has been delivered to the General Reference Hospital of Oicha. Focused on supporting the maternity and obstetrics department, the fully equipped vehicle will facilitate rapid and cost-free transfers of critically ill patients—including pregnant women with complications, survivors of sexual violence, injured war victims, and children in urgent need—to appropriate medical facilities.
Previously, the absence of specialized transport turned patient transfers into perilous delays, often with fatal consequences. This initiative directly supports the national “zero franc at the cash register” policy, funded by the National Fund for Reparations of Victims of Sexual Violence and Other Grave Crimes (FONAREV).
The voice of hope from Oicha’s hospital leadership
Dr. Kaseraka Nzala Essaie, acting medical director of the HGR Oicha, praised the contribution of UNFPA, emphasizing the agency’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every pregnancy is wanted and every birth is safe. In a region scarred by recurrent attacks, this ambulance symbolizes more than mobility—it is a lifeline.
“In an area plagued by persistent insecurity, this ambulance is not just a vehicle—it is a lifesaving instrument. Every minute saved here translates into a life preserved.”
Alongside the vehicle handover, renovations are underway to upgrade the hospital’s delivery room. Serving a community of nearly 90 beds, the facility handles an average of 350 births monthly, all while facing growing pressure from a steadily increasing displaced population.
Beyond transport: comprehensive care for survivors
During the mission, the UNFPA representative also toured the Integrated Multisectoral Service Center (CISM) located within the hospital. This center provides holistic support for survivors of sexual violence and gender-based abuse, offering medical care, psychological counseling, legal assistance, and reintegration support through dedicated service counters.
Survivors who have benefited from these services shared moving accounts, expressing deep gratitude for the transformative impact on their recovery journeys—both physically and emotionally.
Oicha at the heart of multiple humanitarian emergencies
Oicha, located in the territory of Beni, remains at the epicenter of a deepening humanitarian crisis. Repeated attacks by the ADF armed group have displaced thousands, pushing the local population—and displaced communities—to levels 40% higher than pre-crisis figures. The area is also grappling with the 17th outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease, compounding an already dire situation marked by widespread human rights abuses and conflict-related sexual violence.
A United Nations alliance for dignity and healing
This critical intervention is made possible through funding from FONAREV as part of a Joint United Nations Program involving UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, OHCHR, and UNFPA. UNFPA leads the initiative, partnering with local organizations including PPSSP, Heal Africa, and TPO in both North and South Kivu. Together, they provide vital support and reparative measures for survivors of sexual violence linked to conflict and other grave human rights violations.
