DHL Global Forwarding, a global leader in freight and logistics services, has successfully delivered the world’s first mobile pediatric heart clinic to Burundi. This groundbreaking project, carried out in collaboration with the German non-profit organization kinderherzen, aims to close the significant healthcare gap for children suffering from congenital heart defects (CHD) in underserved regions.
The mobile unit, known as MOHKI, is a critical step toward improving access to essential medical services for children who would otherwise go untreated. In Africa, a staggering number of children—up to 90 percent—diagnosed with CHD do not have access to the life-saving care they require. MOHKI was created specifically to address this urgent need by bringing high-quality, specialized cardiac treatment directly to the communities most in need.
The clinic is composed of 14 customized containers, fully equipped with operating rooms, an intensive care unit, medical equipment, solar energy systems, and all necessary infrastructure to operate independently and reliably in remote settings.
Mission
Following its successful deployment in El Salvador, where 24 surgeries were performed, the mobile clinic is now set to begin its first mission in Burundi. During this mission, volunteer heart specialists will work alongside local healthcare providers to perform surgeries over a two-week period, followed by five days of recovery and post-operative care. After treatment, children will be closely monitored either in the mobile ICU or transferred to the Mother-Child Centre at Hospital Kamenge. This effort represents the beginning of a long-term commitment to improving pediatric care in Burundi, with a second mission already scheduled for June 2025.
MOHKI’s presence in Burundi addresses a broader issue faced by many African nations: the lack of trained pediatric cardiac surgeons and dedicated facilities. The mobile clinic not only provides immediate care but also supports the development of local medical infrastructure through training programs and knowledge exchange. Designed as a temporary solution, MOHKI will remain in operation for at least a year while efforts continue to establish a permanent heart center in the country.
This initiative showcases the power of global collaboration, combining logistics expertise with humanitarian care. “Without access to pediatric heart surgery, many children simply do not survive,” said Jörg Gattenlöhner, Managing Director of kinderherzen. “MOHKI offers them a fighting chance and builds a foundation for a more compassionate and connected world.” With other African countries expressing interest, the project holds great promise for regional expansion, potentially transforming the lives of thousands of children across the continent.