Support for the operation and expansion of the St Raphaël Eye Clinic

After decades of bloody civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, economic underdevelopment, a rapidly growing population and a fundamental lack of resources have created one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world. The consequences of the almost complete absence of health care and specialised care are particularly serious. Hungary supported the construction of the ophthalmology clinic of missionary ophthalmologist Dr. Richárd Hardi in several phases through the Hungary Helps Program. The Centre Ophtalmologique St Raphaël Eye Clinic in Mbuji-Mayi is run by the Brother Richard’s Foundation for the Congolese Patients. The project included the construction of the clinic's eye surgery centre, the purchase of modern medical equipment and laser eye surgery instruments, and the installation of a solar panel system to make the clinic self-sufficient in terms of energy. Thanks to the project, more than 10,000 patients a year have access to medical care in rural areas where there is no eye care at all. The clinic serves approximately 8 million people and is the only clinic in the country to perform specialised retinal surgery.