South Kivu: Nine women die after clandestine surgeries within a month

Nine women lost their lives after undergoing illegal and non-professional surgical interventions in the Shabunda Health Zone, in South Kivu province, over the space of one month, according to figures released on Thursday, January 15, by the civil society organization Bloc Citoyen Amani.

The organization described the situation as a 'silent tragedy', noting that the deaths were exacerbated by a severe shortage of medicines, appropriate medical equipment, and qualified health personnel. The victims died between December 2025 and January 2026 after seeking care in informal health facilities operating outside any legal or professional framework.

Speaking on the issue, Bloc Citoyen Amani coordinator Josué Assani Kisulu told Radio Okapi that the impact of these deaths goes far beyond statistics.

“Behind these figures are children left orphaned, families torn apart, and an entire community plunged into pain, fear, and insecurity,” he stressed.

According to the organization, the tragedy exposes a glaring lack of control and regulation of medical practices in the area. It also highlights the role of poverty and despair, which force many families to resort to clandestine healthcare services they perceive as more affordable or accessible than public facilities.

“This drama reveals the absence of effective oversight of medical practices, the poverty and desperation pushing families toward illegal care, and the lack of resources within public health structures,” the organization said in its statement.

In response, Bloc Citoyen Amani issued urgent recommendations, calling on humanitarian organizations and government health partners to strengthen support to the Shabunda Health Zone by providing adequate medical equipment and deploying qualified healthcare personnel.

The organization also urged Congolese authorities to take immediate action to shut down informal health facilities and hold their operators accountable. Additionally, it appealed to civil society organizations and community leaders to intensify public awareness campaigns warning against the dangers of seeking clandestine medical care.

These concerns were echoed by the Chief Medical Officer of the Shabunda Health Zone, who confirmed the seriousness and recurring nature of clandestine surgical interventions, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further loss of life.