Heal Africa

What Heal Africa does

HEAL Africa is a Christian, non-governmental humanitarian organization operating primarily from Goma, North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Founded in 1996 by Dr. Jo Lusi and Lyn Lusi (initially as DOCS HEAL Africa, renamed in 2006) and registered as an NGO in DRC alongside a 501(c)(3) affiliate in the United States, the organization provides an integrated package of tertiary healthcare, medical training, and community development services to vulnerable populations in eastern DRC.

Its core operating asset is a 197-bed tertiary teaching hospital — one of only three referral hospitals in DRC — offering general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency care, ophthalmology, dentistry, and a specialized Obstetric Fistula Treatment Center. The hospital is supported by conventional clinical-technology infrastructure (laboratories covering Biochemistry, Bacteriology, Parasitology, and Hematology; Medical Imaging; Endoscopy) and by a medical training pipeline that includes a Family Medicine residency, COSECSA-accredited surgery training (the first COSECSA site in DRC, est. 2016), an Orthopedic Officer School (112 officers trained since 2007), a Chaplaincy School, and a Clinical Pastoral Training program. The training and clinical layers are reinforced by community-development programs — Women of Valor VSLAs, the Goma School Fund, the Tuungane children's day school, and the Enfants Bien Aimés program for street-connected children — that channel patients and families into the hospital and build durable local trust.

HEAL Africa is funded through a mix of individual donations (one-time and monthly via healafrica.org), grants from institutional humanitarian donors (USAID, UNICEF, IRC, UNFPA, Engenderhealth, COSECSA, DRC Humanitarian Fund), in-kind medical support (Project C.U.R.E., Smile Train, American Surgical Teams), and modest fee-for-service revenue from patients able to pay. Governance is bilateral — a General Assembly board in DRC and a separate USA board — with allied fundraising entities in Australia (HEAL Africa Australian Alliance with WorldShare, AusHEAL, Sonic Healthcare) and the UK (WorldShare UK). The organization employs 300+ staff in DRC and has no venture capital or private equity backing; it is not an investment-grade entity in the conventional sense, and any growth analysis must be read through the lens of a non-profit humanitarian operator in a conflict-affected region.

Name

Heal Africa

Legal name

HEAL Africa

Website

https://healafrica.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

HEAL Africa is a Christian humanitarian non-governmental organization headquartered in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, operating a 197-bed tertiary teaching hospital, medical training programs, and community development services for vulnerable populations in eastern DRC, funded by donations and institutional grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Healthcare Services

NAICS

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (622110), Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian Health & Emergency Medical Relief NGOs (HLAJAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical Missions & Global Health NGOs (BPAGACAI), Health, Population & WASH Aid Programs (BPADABAC)

Keywords

• Humanitarian healthcare
• Tertiary hospital services
• Medical residency training
• Community development programs
• Obstetric fistula treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Caledonia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donors contribute one-time or monthly donations. Options include Train a Doctor, Mercy Fund, Support a woman, Give in honor of someone. HEAL Africa USA is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (EIN#20-4104936) facilitating US donations.
2. International Grants and Institutional Funding: Support from international organizations including USAID, IRC, UNICEF, COSECSA, Engenderhealth, UNFPA. These partners have invested in HEAL Africa staff, equipment, and infrastructure.
3. Healthcare Services: Hospital provides general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency care, eye care, dentistry, and various medical consultations. While many services are free for vulnerable populations, the hospital generates some revenue from those able to pay.
4. Planned Giving and Stock Donations: Accepts gifts of stock, international bank money orders, wire transfers for larger donations, and planned giving options for significant financial resources

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HEAL Africa operates a 197-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, providing specialized medical care including general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency care, and obstetric fistula repair. The organization complements clinical services with medical training programs (Family Medicine residency, COSECSA surgery partnership, orthopedic officer school) and community programs supporting women and children affected by conflict in eastern DRC. Services are delivered free or at subsidized cost to vulnerable populations, funded primarily through donations, grants, and institutional partnerships.

Product overview

HEAL Africa is a Christian humanitarian organization operating a unified healthcare and community development ecosystem centered around its 197-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Goma, DR Congo. The hospital serves as the primary service delivery point, while medical training programs (Family Medicine residency, COSECSA surgery, Orthopedic Officer School, Chaplaincy School) build local healthcare capacity. Community programs including Women of Valor, Goma School Fund, Tuungane Children's Program, and Enfants Bien Aimés extend support to vulnerable populations. These programs are interconnected: hospital patients' children access Tuungane, women's groups form VSLA networks that become Women of Valor circles, and displaced children receive shelter through EBA while families access education via GSF. The organization does not operate as a technology product company but rather as an integrated service delivery organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women of Valor: A program supporting women through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), providing mutual support, literacy programs, and solidarity networks for women, particularly those affected by conflict and displacement.
• Tuungane
• WAMAMA Program
• WABABA Program
• WATOTO Program
• Enfants Bien Aimés (EBA)
• Goma School Fund (GSF)

Products and services

• HEAL Africa Hospital A 197-bed tertiary teaching hospital in Goma, DR Congo, providing general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency care, and specialized services including fistula repair and ophthalmology. Recognized as one of only three referral hospitals in DR Congo, serving patients across eastern DRC.
• Medical Training Programs Comprehensive medical education programs including Family Medicine residency, COSECSA surgery training, Orthopedic Officer School, Chaplaincy School, specialization programs for resident and generalist doctors, neonatal nurse training, and continuing medical education for practicing physicians. Designed for Congolese physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals seeking specialty training.
• Public Health Services Preventive healthcare outreach including HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, basic health and hygiene education, Safe Motherhood programs, and community health worker deployment to remote villages for healthcare delivery and local facility support. Targets rural populations and community health workers in eastern DRC.
• Women of Valor Program A women's empowerment initiative providing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), literacy programs, spiritual support, and mutual aid networks for women affected by conflict in eastern DRC. Targets women in conflict-affected communities seeking economic and social support.
• Goma School Fund (GSF) An education initiative supporting primary school education for children displaced by war in the Mugunga district, providing school supplies, meals, and educational support services. Targets displaced and conflict-affected children in Goma.
• Tuungane Children's Program A day school ministry at HEAL Africa Hospital for children of hospitalized patients or those whose mothers are hospitalized, providing counseling, nutritious meals, school supplies, and emotional support during extended hospital stays. Targets children affected by parental hospitalization.
• Enfants Bien Aimés (EBA) Program A day program for street-connected children providing protection, counseling, and reintegration support, with emergency shelter capabilities for children in crisis situations. Targets street-connected and displaced children in Goma.
• Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) Spiritual care training program equipping pastors, chaplains, doctors, and community workers in trauma-informed spiritual support and counseling techniques. Serves faith leaders and healthcare workers addressing trauma in eastern DRC.

Quantifiable outcome

• 764 injured patients treated during January 2025 conflict escalation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026UNFPA strengthened treatment capacity at HEAL Africa Hospital through donation of two complete obstetric fistula repair kits as part of the 14th International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (IDEOF 2026). Distribution of dignity kits to patients. Long-standing partnership for fistula treatment programs.
• Smile TraincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Collaboration with Smile Train for cleft lip and palate repair campaigns. December 2024 campaign in Beni restored hope to 26 individuals.
• American Surgical TeamsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Teams of American surgeons collaborate with HEAL Africa Hospital for general surgery campaigns. March 2024 campaign assisted with complex cases including goiters, abdominal masses, and tumors while promoting knowledge transfer.
• COSECSA (College of Surgeons of East, Central and South Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership established in 2016 to train physicians in surgery at HEAL Africa. HEAL Africa became the first team to train in surgery through COSECSA. Medical staff including Dr. Jonathan KM Lusi (Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellow of COSECSA) and Dr. Neil Wetzig (Endocrine Surgeon and Fellow of COSECSA) serve as faculty.
• IRC (International Rescue Committee)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRC has invested in HEAL Africa staff, equipment, and infrastructure supporting healthcare programs in eastern DRC.
• EngenderHealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngenderHealth has invested in HEAL Africa staff, equipment, and infrastructure, particularly in reproductive health programs.
• WorldSharecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian-based organization part of HEAL Africa-Australian Alliance (HAAA). Supports GSF Mugunga Primary School and generates funds, awareness, advocacy, and funding for HEAL Africa.
• AusHEALcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustralian-based organization part of HEAL Africa-Australian Alliance. Arranges clinical and support teams to work with HEAL Africa. Board member Chris Mills represents AusHEAL.
• Sonic Healthcare Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralian-based organization part of HEAL Africa-Australian Alliance. Microbiologist Richard Jones represents Sonic Healthcare on the alliance.
• WorldShare UKmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based partner facilitating tax-deductible donations from the UK to HEAL Africa through their website.
• IMA World HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMA World Health partners with HEAL Africa for TUSHINDE Project using community-based methods to respond to humanitarian crises.
• ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability)minorOthersECFA logo displayed on website indicating HEAL Africa USA maintains financial accountability standards expected of evangelical Christian organizations.
• G4 AllianceminorOthersG4 Alliance logo displayed on website indicating membership in global alliance for surgical and anesthesia care.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CURE International: Operates a network of specialty children's hospitals in developing countries with a strong orthopedic and surgical teaching mandate — comparable to HEAL Africa on specialty surgical care (orthopedics), training of local clinicians, and faith-based hospital operations in Africa.
• Partners In Health: Faith-rooted global health organization operating tertiary hospital networks in low-resource settings (Haiti, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia) with integrated training and community programs — closely comparable to HEAL Africa's model of tertiary hospital + workforce development + community accompaniment.
• Mercy Ships: Operates hospital ships delivering free specialty surgery and surgical training across sub-Saharan Africa, with strong emphasis on local capacity building — comparable to HEAL Africa on surgical specialty focus, training mandate, and faith-based service to African populations.
• Smile Train: Global nonprofit funding free cleft lip and palate surgery and training in developing countries — directly comparable as a HEAL Africa partner delivering the December 2024 Beni cleft campaign, with overlapping surgical-training model in low-resource settings.
• African Mission Healthcare: Faith-based nonprofit funding and operating hospitals, training programs, and surgeons across sub-Saharan Africa, including specialty surgical capacity — directly comparable to HEAL Africa's tertiary referral role, COSECSA training focus, and Christian ministry model.
• Medical Teams International: Faith-inspired humanitarian medical NGO running volunteer medical teams, surgical campaigns, and community health programs in conflict-affected and refugee settings — comparable to HEAL Africa's volunteer-team surgical campaigns (cleft, fistula, joint replacement) and emergency response orientation.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee: Major humanitarian organization delivering emergency health, women's protection, and education programs in eastern DRC and other conflict zones — already a HEAL Africa donor/partner but operates at much larger scale across multiple sectors, making it adjacent rather than head-to-head.
• MAP International: Long-established Christian global health organization providing medicines, medical supplies, and health programs in low-resource settings — broader portfolio than HEAL Africa but materially overlapping on faith-based health delivery and a historical link to HEAL Africa leadership (Dr. Jo Lusi previously served at MAP).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/healafrica
• Facebookfacebook.com/HEALafrica

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heal Africa