About Panzi Hospital
A center of excellence and a Lifeline for Women in Crisis
Dr. Mukwege once set out to deliver babies and reduce maternal mortality in his homeland. Today, Panzi Hospital not only delivers children but also helps birth a future of hope for survivors of violence. This commitment to excellence, innovation, and humanity is what makes Panzi Hospital a global beacon of healing.
Infrastructure & Capacity
Panzi Hospital’s infrastructure has expanded in tandem with its reputation for excellence. Our remarkable impact is also due to the dedication of its multidisciplinary team. From doctors and nurses to midwives, psychologists, social workers, and lawyers, every staff member plays a critical role in the holistic care journey of survivors.
beds
with 134 reserved for survivors of sexual violence and women requiring specialized gynecological care
inpatients
and 1,000 consultations on average each month across all departments at our hospitals
doctors
(including 32 specialists) with an unwavering commitment to healing ensures that every survivor is treated with dignity and compassion
women
across leadership and staff roles at the hospital (out of a team of over 400)
Global Leaders & Icons Visit Panzi Hospital to Support Survivors
Panzi Hospital has had the honor of welcoming numerous distinguished visitors, including global leaders, policymakers, and advocates for human rights and gender equality. These visits underscore the worldwide recognition of Panzi’s vital work in providing holistic care to survivors of sexual violence. We are privileged to regularly host influential figures who seek to support and amplify our mission.
We deliver more than 3,500 babies per year with a 99.1% live-birth rate – a staggering achievement in a country with one of the worst mortality rates on record according to the World Bank.
Panzi Hospital’s work has garnered attention and support from organizations and individuals worldwide.
Through partnerships with international agencies, Panzi is able to extend its impact, improve its services, and advocate for systemic change. The hospital also serves as a training hub for healthcare providers, helping to spread its holistic care model to other regions affected by conflict and sexual violence.
Panzi Hospital is more than a medical institution—it is a sanctuary of healing, empowerment, and hope.
Globally recognized for its expertise in treating gynecological trauma, the hospital specializes in complex injuries such as fistulas, organ prolapse, and other devastating conditions resulting from brutal sexual violence. Dr. Mukwege and his highly skilled team perform life-saving surgeries and provide critical services such as treatment for sexually transmitted infections, emergency contraception, and maternal-child healthcare.
What sets Panzi Hospital apart is its holistic care model, which integrates four pillars of support into a single, comprehensive system.
The History of Panzi Hospital
Dr. Denis Mukwege founded Panzi Hospital in 1999 with a singular goal in mind: to reduce the staggering maternal mortality rate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As a child, growing up in the rural hills of Congo, Dr. Mukwege traveled with his father, a pastor, to comfort the sick and dying in their community. Many were laboring mothers who had no safe place to give birth, and this experience had a profound impact on his life. He resolved to do more, to safeguard the lives of women and ensure that their children had a chance to thrive.
But the war changed everything.
The very first patient to arrive at Panzi was not a woman in labor but a rape survivor, brutalized and shot in her genitals. This tragedy marked the beginning of Panzi Hospital’s transformation from a maternal health clinic into a world-renowned center for treating survivors of sexual violence. As the brutality of the war escalated, so too did the number of women arriving at Panzi with unimaginable injuries. Dr. Mukwege and his team quickly became reluctant experts in conflict-related gynecological trauma.
Panzi Hospital’s transformation in the face of the war’s horrors was swift and resolute. What began as a maternal health facility quickly evolved into a specialized center for gynecological trauma and comprehensive care for survivors of sexual violence. In 2008, recognizing the complex and interconnected needs of these survivors, Dr. Mukwege founded the Panzi Foundation and introduced a holistic care model. This approach goes beyond treating physical wounds to address the emotional, legal, and economic needs of survivors, helping them rebuild their lives and reclaim their dignity.
Why Panzi Hospital Matters
The crisis of sexual violence in the DRC has left scars on countless women, families, and communities. Panzi Hospital stands at the forefront of the healing process, offering survivors not only medical care but also the tools to reclaim their lives. This holistic approach has proven to be transformative. Survivors are not simply patients—they are women rebuilding their futures with dignity, financial independence, and newfound strength.
Panzi Hospital is a global leader in providing care for survivors of sexual violence. Its work has changed the lives of tens of thousands, giving hope to those who have endured unimaginable horrors. Panzi’s model is being replicated around the world as a gold standard for post-conflict healing.
At Panzi Hospital, we are committed to restoring lives, advocating for justice, and fostering hope. With the support of individuals, organizations, and partners around the world, we can continue to offer our world-class care and empower survivors to rebuild their futures. Join us in this mission and help us create a world where every woman can live with dignity, free from violence.