“This hospital is proof that we can care for our fellow citizens here, with the same quality of service as in Western clinics,” declared President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, visibly moved as he inaugurated this facility named after his late daughter, a pediatrician and dedicated First Lady.

A high-level technical platform

Behind its modern walls, the hospital offers an impressive range of services: general medicine, emergency care, gynecology-obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery, cardiology, neurosurgery, urology, intensive care, medical imaging, and infectious diseases.

Its state-of-the-art technical platform enables the performance of complex medical and surgical procedures that were long impossible in the region.

 
An exemplary Congo-Cuba cooperation

One of the strengths of HGELBO lies in its model of international cooperation. Over 70 Cuban doctors work alongside around a hundred Congolese healthcare workers. “This partnership is an opportunity. The Cubans bring their experience and train our young doctors, while we introduce them to the African reality,” explains a doctor from this hospital institution. This partnership, praised as an example of successful health diplomacy, illustrates how South-South exchanges can sustainably strengthen African health systems.

Tangible results for the population

The impact of the hospital is already measurable. In just a few years, it has transformed the daily life of the residents of Cuvette and even beyond, welcoming patients from Gabon and neighboring DRC. During free medical campaigns, more than 4,000 people were able to receive consultations. In the first few months alone, 485 hospitalizations were recorded, while complex surgical operations were successfully carried out, sparing many families the financial burden of evacuations abroad. “My daughter suffered from a heart defect. We thought we would have to go to Europe, but the operation was performed here in Oyo by a mixed team. It is a miracle for us,” recalls a mother with emotion. Stories like this are becoming more frequent, giving life to what could have remained just an infrastructure project.

Accessibility and equity

Unlike some private facilities that are often inaccessible, HGELBO claims a pricing policy adapted to local realities. “General medicine consultations are within everyone's reach. Our mission is to guarantee equity in healthcare,” insists the Director of Nursing. This approach allows the hospital to play a key role in democratizing access to specialized care in Congo.

Budget and sustainability

With a budget of 3.9 billion CFA francs planned for 2024, the hospital confirms its status as a strategic player in the national health system.

These funds are intended to improve logistics, strengthen staff, and ensure the maintenance of a particularly demanding technical platform. The goal is clear: to make HGELBO a sustainable institution, capable of competing in the long term with major regional structures.

A living tribute to Édith Lucie Bongo: Health as a legacy.

Naming this hospital in Oyo after Édith Lucie Bongo is not merely a commemorative gesture. It is a vibrant tribute to a woman doctor who had always dreamed of equitable access to healthcare for mothers and children. "Beyond the symbol, this hospital embodies the vision of a woman doctor who deeply believed that health is the greatest wealth," summarizes a staff member.