Since its inception in 2016, the Harish Jagtani Foundation (HJ Foundation) has steadily earned a reputation for being where it’s needed most without much fanfare. From supporting the fight against COVID-19 in 2020, donating 500 prostheses in 2021, enabling free cataract surgeries in 2022, to delivering 80 tons of supplies to flood victims in Kalehe in 2023, the Foundation has proven itself a constant ally to the Congolese people.
A Commitment Beyond Numbers
Now in February 2024, many wonder: What initiatives will HJ Foundation undertake this year? Who will benefit? Which regions will be touched?
What’s clear is that the examples above are just glimpses. The Foundation’s work is broad, responsive, and deeply rooted in listening to community needs.
Among its recent innovations is the mobile clinic launched in 2023, that marked a major leap toward healthcare accessibility. The clinic, equipped with 300 beds, provides a range of services including prosthetics, dialysis, and ophthalmology, all completely free. Founder Harish Jagtani explained the inspiration simply: “Many patients cannot access healthcare because of financial constraints. That’s why we set up this structure to ensure they receive care without any cost”.
Services that elsewhere would cost hundreds of dollars, like dialysis sessions, are now freely available to those who need them most.
Stories of Hope
People like Dodia, who traveled over 450 kilometers from Boma with her young daughter to access free prosthetics, are testimony to the life-changing impact of HJ Foundation’s work.
“We didn’t pay anything,” she shared, urging other parents facing similar struggles to not hesitate in seeking help.
Similarly, Dorcas, who had long walked on crutches after losing a leg to cancer, found new hope at the Foundation’s rehabilitation center.
“Walking on two legs again feels miraculous. I thank the Harish Jagtani Foundation deeply for this gift,” she said, recalling how she initially learned about the free prosthetic program through family abroad.
Listening and Responding to Emergencies
While the Foundation is structured around healthcare and education, it’s equally known for its spontaneous humanitarian interventions.
When devastating floods struck Kalehe in South Kivu, the HJ Foundation was among the first responders — sending a team of medical professionals, volunteers, and 80 tons of essential supplies. They also paid hospital bills for mothers stranded in maternity wards due to financial hardships.
“They promised continued support, including equipping our health centers so that people can receive quality care,” said Martin Kahundahunda, a community representative.
Building Beyond Philanthropy
Beyond charitable actions, Harish Jagtani has also contributed to national pride through entrepreneurship. In June 2023, his company Suprême inaugurated the DRC’s first Mercedes vehicle assembly plant in 30 years, celebrated in Kinshasa with the presence of President Félix Tshisekedi.
A Reserved Spirit, a Grand Vision
Despite these achievements, Harish Jagtani remains understated, preferring action over publicity. His name occasionally surfaces in rumours like the false reports in 2023 suggesting he had “purchased” Kinshasa’s main public hospital after his company Modern Construction won a legitimate contract to rebuild it. When the modernized hospital reopened under government ownership, no retractions were issued, but Jagtani continued to focus on the work rather than the noise.
Looking ahead, his ambitions remain anchored in service and growth.
“Over the next five years, I aim to expand our hospitals, enhance the work of the Foundation, establish the HJ Medical College, and launch HJ Garment to create thousands of jobs across major cities in the DRC,” he shared with Danish media outlet MTI News in 2022.
The Harish Jagtani Foundation, true to its spirit, continues to quietly transform lives, one act of compassion at a time.
