The goal is to provide free care to around 8,000 marginalized people and break down financial and geographical barriers.
Courtesy of Gaston Mutamba
The Rotary Clubs of Kinshasa are organizing, from 25 to 27 October, with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rotary Foundation, the Rotary Days for Family Health and Prevention of HIV/AIDS in eight health zones of Kinshasa. They are Bandalungwa, Kingabwa, Lemba, Kalamu 2, Mont Ngafula 1, Mont Ngafula 2, Ndjili, Nsele. The goal is to provide free care to around 8,000 marginalized people and break down financial and geographical barriers. These are the people living in neglected communities who will benefit from services outside of health facilities. Due to their poverty, the population is often unable to pay for any health service. This results in a sharp reduction in attendance at hospitals and health centers in favor of traditional medicine, which is less expensive but whose effectiveness has yet to be demonstrated.
At the sites selected by the Rotary, voluntary and free screening for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cancers, diabetes, blood pressure, sexually transmitted diseases, hepatitis B and C, cholesterol, malaria, nutritional status is carried out. Vaccination against polio must be added to this and advice on mental illness, family planning as well as the abuse of alcohol and illicit substances. The medical team presents screening, tests and refers them to specialists. According to my friend who knows what is happening in every nook and cranny of Kinshasa’s crepit, the country had a structured network of health services in the past. Its effectiveness has been reduced as little as possible by the multi-faceted crisis in the country since 1960. Hell and damnation!
According to the national primary health care policy, 517 health zones provide health coverage. Patients initially receive preventive and curative care in health centers. An important aspect of this policy is the geographic and economic accessibility of medicines and other essential medical supplies. But over the years, due to the uncertainty of public finances, it is not possible to take large-scale measures against all the diseases that the populations suffer from. Stupor and trembling! The hospital’s infrastructure is in a state of disrepair. These restrictions affect the quality of health services. There is a very high rate of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under 5 years of age. There is also a resurgence of diseases that were once almost eradicated. Saperlipopette! This is the case for trypanosomiasis, cholera, plague, tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, smallpox and many others. AIDS must also be included in these epidemics.
Expanded Program – EPI) which is the essential support for the public health. programs. The drug market is a complex system in which many players have been operating for several years, the State is absent from this sector. Most of the pharmaceutical supply is ensured by external donors, non-governmental organizations and private importers.
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How can community members participate in the Rotary Days and access the healthcare services provided?
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Dr. Gaston Mutamba. It’s a pleasure to have you here today to discuss the important work being done by the Rotary Clubs of Kinshasa, especially with the upcoming Rotary Days for Family Health and Prevention of HIV/AIDS. Can you tell us more about the initiative and its objectives?
Dr. Gaston Mutamba: Thank you for having me. The Rotary Days, scheduled from October 25 to 27, aim to provide free healthcare to approximately 8,000 marginalized individuals in eight health zones of Kinshasa. Our primary goal is to dismantle financial and geographical barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from accessing essential health services. Many people in these neglected communities can’t afford the care they need, which has led them to rely on alternative, less effective traditional medicines.
Interviewer: That’s a significant undertaking. What kind of services can these marginalized individuals expect to receive during this event?
Dr. Mutamba: We will be offering free and voluntary screenings for a range of health issues, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, various cancers, diabetes, blood pressure, sexually transmitted diseases, and even vaccinations against polio. Additionally, we will provide support regarding mental health, family planning, as well as advice on managing substance abuse. Our medical teams will conduct screenings, perform tests, and refer patients to specialists as needed.
Interviewer: It’s heartening to see such a comprehensive approach. Can you shed some light on the current state of healthcare in Kinshasa? You mentioned considerable challenges in accessing care.
Dr. Mutamba: Yes, the healthcare system in Kinshasa has faced numerous challenges over the years, particularly since the multi-faceted crises began in 1960. While there used to be a structured network of healthcare services, that infrastructure has significantly deteriorated. There’s a high prevalence of diseases that were once under control, and many essential medical supplies are not economically accessible due to public finance uncertainties. This results in high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among children under five.
Interviewer: It sounds incredibly challenging. With so many hurdles in the way, how do initiatives like the Rotary Days make an impact in this context?
Dr. Mutamba: Initiatives like this are vital for rebuilding trust in the healthcare system. By bringing services directly to the communities that need them the most, we can not only offer immediate health solutions but also raise awareness about preventive care. Our volunteers and medical teams are passionate about making a change, and we hope to inspire others to step up and support those in need.
Interviewer: You mentioned that much of the pharmaceutical supply is reliant on external sources. How does this impact healthcare delivery in Kinshasa?
Dr. Mutamba: The reliance on external donors, NGOs, and private importers creates a fragmented system. Ideally, the government should be the backbone of healthcare supply and distribution, but its absence has left a vacuum. This can lead to inconsistencies in the availability of essential medications and treatments. Therefore, initiatives like ours are crucial to provide immediate care while highlighting the need for a stronger governmental role in healthcare.
Interviewer: It seems that there is an urgent need for systemic change in the region. Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of healthcare in Kinshasa?
Dr. Mutamba: I envision a healthcare system that is accessible, equitable, and sustainable. This requires collaboration among different stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, and the communities themselves. We need to advocate for better funding and resource allocation to restore and improve healthcare services. The Rotary Days is just one step in this journey, but it demonstrates the potential impact we can achieve when we come together for a common cause.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Mutamba. Your insights are invaluable, and we appreciate the work you and the Rotary Clubs are doing to make healthcare more accessible in Kinshasa. We look forward to following the progress of the Rotary Days.
Dr. Mutamba: Thank you for having me. It’s my pleasure to share this important initiative, and I appreciate your support in bringing attention to these pressing healthcare issues.