The concept for the new mother-child unit was developed by a team led by Dr Mukwege and Marie Berg, Professor in Health Care Sciences specialising in Reproductive and Perinatal Health at Gothenburg University. Professor Berg has been working as a midwife and advisor in the DRC since 1981.

The design team at White Arkitekter together with Professor Berg, have brought their extensive healthcare expertise to the project to deliver a sustainable and person-centred care model. The new unit aims to reduce the maternal and post-natal mortality rate, provide more positive birth experiences and improve working conditions.

It will replace overcrowded and inadequate facilities at Panzi Hospital, which deals with up to 3500 births per year. The hospital suffers from insufficient sanitation, poor logistical arrangements, and no facilities for family members to remain close to the mother and child. Due to the shortage of beds, currently mothers often have to share rooms with other mothers and their babies, causing psychological distress.

The simple and harmonious design is planned along the principles of ‘healing architecture’ in which the quality of the environment contributes to positive patient recovery. The easy- to-navigate design prioritises daylight, privacy and views out to nature. Each unit has private access to green courtyards for rehabilitation, recreation and social activities. Locally sourced materials are used where possible.

The design for the new hospital consists of two distinct components. A one-storey intensive care block houses a labour ward and neonatal unit. A series of seven two-storey modular pavilions provide post-birth patient rooms and the outpatient department. The patient wards are designed as small units of 8-16 patients with patient rooms of 1-2 beds. The units vary in size enabling families to support patients during their stay. The buildings are reached from a large entrance square via internal pathways.