Residents of Kashusha, in Kabare Territory of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, now have access to a broader range of healthcare services following the inauguration of a new medical clinic established by the local organisation Jenga Tumaini.
The facility was officially inaugurated on Friday, 3 July, during a ceremony attended by local authorities, health officials, development partners and members of the community.
According to Dr Patrick, Chairperson of Jenga Tumaini’s Board of Directors, the clinic was established to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for vulnerable people living in rural areas where specialised medical services are often difficult to reach.
« Our goal is to bring quality healthcare closer to the population, especially those who often struggle to access specialised medical services, » he said.
The clinic provides a wide range of services, including general medicine, ophthalmology, radiology, dentistry, outpatient care, laboratory services, a pharmacy, laundry services and a community-based health insurance scheme. However, the facility has not yet opened an inpatient ward.
During the inauguration, Cirimwami Kwigomba Mambé, the traditional chief of Miti Groupement, praised the initiative, describing it as an important step toward strengthening healthcare delivery in the area. He encouraged Jenga Tumaini to continue expanding its services to meet the growing needs of local communities.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic ribbon-cutting, officially opening the clinic to the public.
For many residents, the new facility represents more than just a healthcare centre—it brings essential medical services closer to communities that have long faced significant barriers to accessing treatment.
« We are very pleased to witness the opening of this clinic because it meets a real need in Kashusha and the surrounding villages. In the past, we had to travel long distances to receive specialised medical care. Now those services are available much closer to home, » said Mathieu Buhendwa, one of the participants.
Among the clinic’s first patients was Sarah Mulangi, a resident of Mululu village in Kabare Territory. She described the new facility as a major relief for local families.
« Before this clinic opened, we had to travel to Karhanda or Miti Hospital whenever we needed medical care. Today, healthcare has been brought to our doorstep. We believe Jenga Tumaini is a blessing for our community because it will help us fight many diseases and make quality healthcare more accessible, » she said.
The opening of the clinic comes as many rural communities across eastern DR Congo continue to face limited access to healthcare because of long travel distances, inadequate medical infrastructure and shortages of specialised health services. Local leaders hope the new facility will help reduce those disparities and improve health outcomes for thousands of people living in and around Kashusha.
