The Countess of Wessex has warmly embraced world-renowned surgeon and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr Denis Mukwege throughout her go to to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
A smiling Sophie put her arms out and hugged Dr Mukwege, who greeted her at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, South Kivu Province.
Dr Mukwege was honoured for his work serving to sexually abused ladies on the hospital he based.
He has handled hundreds who've been raped amid preventing between armed teams searching for to regulate a few of the central African nation’s huge mineral wealth.
Sophie was proven first-hand the pioneering and demanding medical remedy offered to those that have endured brutal, conflict-related sexual violence and trauma.
She toured the hospital, together with its newly opened working room, frolicked with a few of the survivors being cared for on the Panzi, and spoke to its staff of consultants.
At one level, Sophie regarded moved as she held each her arms crossed to her chest as she sat and spoke to at least one girl who was mendacity on a hospital mattress.
The countess was assembly medical employees and survivors on a post-op ward.
She was additionally pictured sporting disposable blue medical scrubs as she listened intently whereas being proven round.
Some 3,500 infants born of sexual violence in battle are delivered there annually, and Sophie additionally heard in regards to the very important help given to the moms.
The Panzi Basis has supported greater than 70,000 survivors of conflict-related sexual violence since 1999.
The countess is the primary member of the royal household to journey to the DRC after visiting on the request of the International Workplace.
She is being accompanied by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister’s particular consultant on stopping sexual violence in battle.
Sophie has publicly dedicated herself to supporting the UK’s work serving to victims of rape, sexual violence and exploitation in struggle.