DHL Global Forwarding has delivered the first mobile heart clinic for children to Burundi, addressing a significant healthcare gap in the region.
Operated by the German NGO kinderherzen, the clinic will provide vital cardiovascular surgeries for children with congenital heart diseases.
The announcement noted that an estimated 90% of children in Africa with CHD lack access to necessary medical care, contributing to high mortality rates — and MOHKI, the mobile heart clinic, is designed to address this by bringing specialized treatment to underserved communities.
The mobile heart facility consists of fourteen 20-foot containers equipped with operating theatres, an intensive care unit, medical supplies and equipment, solar panels, and other essential infrastructure to enable continuous and reliable operations.
"This partnership with kinderherzen reflects our commitment to connecting people and improving lives," said Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa.
"By utilizing our logistical expertise and global network, we're ensuring that advanced healthcare services reach communities where they are needed most, empowering health systems to deliver life-saving medical care for children," he added.
The MOHKI team will carry out life-saving heart surgeries over a two-and-a-half-week period, which includes two weeks of procedures followed by five days of post-operative care.
After surgery, children will receive medical attention in MOHKI's intensive care unit and nursing ward before being discharged or transferred to the Mother-Child Centre of Hospital Kamenges.
DHL noted that this mission marks the first phase of MOHKI's work in Burundi, with additional missions planned, including the next one in June 2025.
Several African countries face significant gaps in pediatric heart surgery expertise and medical facilities. The announcement said that MOHKI's mobile facility provides both essential medical care and long-term healthcare training programs to strengthen local healthcare infrastructure.
The clinic will operate as a transitional facility for at least one year until a permanent heart center is fully equipped.
DHL's logistics network enabled the delivery of MOHKI to Burundi, ensuring access to critical medical care. The logistics giant noted that the need for specialized cardiological healthcare in other African nations underscores the potential for MOHKI to extend its reach in the future.
