Bukavu ( DR Congo), 23 mar ( EFE).-in the eternal conflict in Eastern Congo, a doctor of good-natured aspect keeps alive the hope of many women who, after being raped by the army and armed groups, are salvation in your hospital.
The “ guardian angel” of these patients is called Denis Mukwege, a gynecologist who founded in 1999 the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province (East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC), and whose defence of the rights of the Congolese has earned him two times the candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize.
“this is a general hospital, but half of our (approximately 300) beds are dedicated to women raped,” says Efe Mukwege, sausage in his white bathrobe inseparable, who has tried to “more than 35,000 women” since the creation of the Medical Center.
Bukavu, more than 700,000 inhabitants city built on five peninsulas overlook to Lake Kivu, was established in 1901 by the Belgian colonial authorities, who called it the “Switzerland of Africa” for its picturesque landscapes.
Exhausted some time those days of colonial rule, the long shadow of the war in the Congo (1998-2003), considered the “Africa’s world war,” because it meant to nine countries and more than 20 armed groups, now hanging over the city.
Soldiers of the Congolese army with rifles and bullets hanging from the neck strings now patrolling Bukavu, whose holes streets also supported continuing the MONUSCO, the largest UN peacekeeping force vehicle transit, with up to 22,000 military.
Not far from the green hills of the “African Switzerland” rebel armed groups – Rwandan, Congolese and Ugandan – hidden in the jungle and the army maintain ignition a conflict that, among its victims, often venting with women.
Between 200,000 and 300,000 Congolese have been raped since the beginning of the war, particularly in Eastern Congo, according to UN estimates, which has described the country as “the worst place in the world” for being a woman.
Many of these Congolese have been able to mend their broken lives in the Panzi Hospital, it rises in the hills of a suburb of Bukavu and it is so clean and organized, it seems an immaculate boat adrift in the sea of misery that covers the area.
Most of the violations suffered by patients – said to Efe Mukwege – “were work of rebel groups and the army, because sexual assault”is used as a weapon of war in the conflict”, although lately”domestic violence is growing”.
“women who are raped by armed not only suffer the violation, but are also tortured”, requires the Congolese doctor, son of a pastor of the Pentecostal Church who studied medicine in Burundi and extended studies in France.
Physician, 57 years, tries to heal women who fall into his arms destroyed physically and psychologically in the hospital.
“almost all injuries – explains – cause a gunshot and affect the uterus, vagina, and rectum.” Sometimes, the vagina is really damaged and we must rebuild. “We do what we can to get (raped women) back to a normal life”.
“before any surgical operation – continues-, the first thing to do is to help women psychologically, because most arrive here so depressed and traumatized, which cannot start any treatment without giving them a psychological support”.
“most of these women are very young,” added the doctor, who practiced up to ten daily operations.
Mukwege is aware of the horror of the war, because he had to leave the Lemera Hospital (South Kivu), after being destroyed on 6 October 1996 in an attack that preceded the first Congo war (1996-1997), who overthrew the dictator Mobutu Sésé Seko.
“here – stresses – face the consequences of the war.” And this situation is very bad because the civilian population is paying a very high price. The only thing that can help is peace. “And peace cannot be achieved without a political solution”.
“the solution is not in the hospital.” “Here only take care of the consequences” of the conflict, insists the gynecologist.
Despite having been a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize and receive numerous awards, the doctor does not believe a hero for having saved as many Congolese.
“only do – argues, with modesty – what I have to do.” As a human being, I can understand that you do in this situation. “Don’t feel that you’re doing anything special”.
Inquired if still hope for women in the DRC, Denis Mukwege replies, without hesitation, with a broad smile: “They are very strong.” I have no doubt that if the men do nothing, women will… “.
“
Pedro Alonso
Gynecologist Denis Mukwege speaks with several women in the Panzi Hospital of Bukavu (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in a photo taken last March 8. The doctor kept alive the hope of many women who, after being raped by the army and Congolese armed groups, find salvation in your hospital. EFE
