The PROLASA Medical Centre in Goma was destroyed by the lava flow in January, 2002. This flow was perhaps the most destructive effusion eruption in modern history. The lava flow killed approximately 45 people, left another 120,000 people homeless and destroyed over 15% of the city with a total of over 4500 buildings being destroyed.

Mt. Nyiragongo looming over the city of Goma

The city of Goma was struggling to rebuild after the entire centre of the city was buried in up to three metres of lava. PROLASA moved its hospital to a rented building in the Himbi district. This building served as the hospital from 2002 to 2007. Land has now been obtained for the construction of a new hospital. In 2007 the site was purchased which is composed of 4 adjacent plots in a rectangular layout. It was truly incredible to find this site since it is rare to find adjacent plots in the city for sale at the same time… especially four. The lot is even in a secure and safe part of the city with neighbors including church offices and embassy officials.

The future site of PROLASA’s Medical Centre, Goma

PROLASA is now in the process of building a wall around the plot of land in order to secure it and plans are being made to put in the septic system and water reservoirs and money becomes available.

The construction of a new medical centre will be a major undertaking for the PROLASA team. Plans are being made in such a way that the construction of the centre can take place in a modular way. This way, the centre can built piece by piece and, once constructed, each portion can be brought into function. By building in this way services will be operational more quickly with basic services being added first and more advanced services being added in the future with the continued construction.