MedShare Mourns Loss of Longtime Advocate and NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo

Mutombo Recipient of MedShare’s Bob Freeman Humanitarian Award

MedShare is deeply saddened by the passing of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. A tireless advocate for healthcare access in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dikembe was a long-time supporter and partner of MedShare International.

Through his foundation, he played a vital role in facilitating the recent donation of nearly $1.5 million in medical supplies and biomedical equipment to the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa— named in honor of his late mother, and a project close to his heart. This 300-bed facility serves as a beacon of hope in an impoverished region, providing essential medical services to hundreds of thousands, including critical care, maternal health services, and treatment for diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS.

In recognition of his dedication to health equity, his efforts to combat preventable diseases, and his commitment to shine a light on the critical issue of child and maternal health in underserved communities, MedShare honored Dikembe with the Bob Freeman Humanitarian Award in 2016.

“Basketball was a vehicle that I used to get me where I’m going,” Mutombo shared with Sports Illustrated in 2022. “My inspiration in life is to improve the living condition of my people.”

Godspeed, Dikembe. Your impact will be felt for generations to come.