Faith-Based Hero: Dr. Ngoma Miezi Kintaudi
TIME Magazine will honor Dr. Ngoma Miezi Kintaudi, as one of twelve health heroes at the Global Health Summit in New York City, Nov. 1-3. Kintaudi heads a vast network of church clinics and church hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
TIME Magazine will honor Dr. Ngoma Miezi Kintaudi, as one of twelve health heroes at the Global Health Summit in New York City, Nov. 1-3.
As a doctor, Kintaudi heads a vast network of church clinics and church hospitals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Christians, he says, are responsible for his country's healthcare successes.
"Without the Christians, the healthcare system in Congo would collapse today. Over half of the healthcare system is taken care of by the Protestants and the Catholics," said Kintaudi. "The government doesn't have the money for private clinics."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
TIME will recognize Kintaudi's leadership of the Medical Office of the Protestant Church of Congo.
There are 75 health zones giving 90 million people primary healthcare, says Kintaudi. Vaccination rates across all health zones have soared from 28 percent to 75 percent, according to TIME. More children are being treated for malaria, the number of women attended during childbirth is up, and many of the health zones have potable water.
Oftentimes, governments or elites pocket donor money for themselves while millions are left to die. Kintaudi says that churches are not like businesses.
"Secular and private businesses come in to make business," he said. "We're not there to make money; we're here to help people."
For such a large country, however, there is much more to be done, Kintaudi continued.
"We have a huge country. We are present in the 75 zones, but there are 515 health zones," he said.
Christians, he hopes, will continue the fight against the world health crisis.
"We want them to know that the job is unfinished. We still need that help. Alone we can't do it, but all of us must pitch in."
His cry echoed TIME senior health writer, Christine Gorman.
"If we work together instead of working against each other, and people bring their best gift to the table, we'll find there is enough to go around,” she said. "We can make a difference."
