TREATMENTS

Ambulatory Medical Therapy

This category of patients comes in the form of transport to the hospital from satellite centers by local and international organizations. Patients arrive from North and South Kivu, as well as countries bordering the DRC. Patients are triaged. Those who are deemed needing treatments include patients suffering from tuberculosis, malnutrition and psychosis. Often these women are sex slaves of the armed forces. Patients are screened for HIV (with consent), syphilis, and vaginal infections. As well, psychological screening and treatment are provided.

Ambulatory Therapy by the Mobile Team

This is provided by a mobile team in conjunction with UNICEF. Visits are made to their homes in attempts to prevent dislocation, which can result in stigmatization. Patients are triaged in their village to determine those needing hospitalization.

In Hospital Care

This service is provided to those needing surgical treatment resulting from rape or childbirth trauma. Usual cases include urogenital fistula, enteric fistula, and trauma to the perineum.

Psychological Therapy

A team of psychologists and five welfare workers are involved in the psychological aspects of therapy in order to better succeed in their integration into society. Screening of the patient is done by a welfare worker or social assistant. Based on the severity of their trauma (classified as mild, moderate or severe) and coping skills, they may then be referred to the psychologist. Therapy incorporates dealing with prevention, education of their illness, moral support, problem resolution and decision making. Counseling is also provided for patients infected with HIV. Their progress is monitored during treatment, and when ready, welfare workers help them during reintroduction. Attempts are mode to assess the patient’s receiving party upon reentry into their community. Of the approximately 52% of the patients presented to our center, 36% are classified as mild, 14% moderate, and 2% are suffering from severe trauma.

Spiritual Therapy

The spiritual treatment comes through working with the hospital chaplain to aid in domestic reconciliation between husbands and wives. Husbands are counseled to not blame their wives for their traumas, and the couple is counseled as well to forgive their aggressors in order to overcome their anger and bitterness.

Socio-economic assistance is provided to empower the survivor. She is taught how to become self-sustaining. The shame they experience, often from having been raped in public, must be overcome. The best way to accomplish this is for the women to be productive within her community. Technical training in different professions is provided including training in:

• Sewing
• Soap making
• Literacy
• Manufacturing of milk
• Fruit juice
• Bread and fritters
• Animal husbandry and marshland cultivation