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A LOOMING HEALTHCARE CHALLENGE: DRC’S STRUGGLE AMID POPULATION BOOM

By  Mostafa Sleem updated on May 28, 2024

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), home to over 100 million people, had a life expectancy of 62.4 years in 2019, a significant increase from 52.4 years in 2000. The population is expected to reach 200 million by 2050. Despite this growth, the country faces a high mortality rate, with an estimated 846 deaths per 100,000 live births. The President of the DRC has initiated free maternity healthcare, encouraging population growth. Is it a step forward or a path to overcrowded clinics? 

The healthcare system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces significant challenges, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, frequent disease outbreaks, and limited resources. The DRC is dealing with multiple health emergencies, including cholera, measles, Ebola, and a significant mpox outbreak, with over 13,000 suspected cases and more than 600 deaths reported since January 2023. 

Health infrastructure is severely underfunded, with per capita health expenditure being one of the lowest globally. Recent reports indicate that maternal and child health indicators remain poor, with high mortality rates and low access to essential healthcare services. 

Let’s start with the obvious! 

It is no surprise that the health sector in the DRC faces significant barriers, and in particular economic barriers, to accessing basic healthcare. The DRC is considered one of the poorest countries in the world, with over 60% of the population living below the poverty line. The lack of health insurance coverage and the high cost of healthcare discourage regular medical check-ups. Unemployment also limits individuals’ ability to afford healthcare. 

The underfunded healthcare system suffers from a lack of essential medical equipment, supplies, and trained personnel. Government spending is low, allowing the private sector to take over, offering higher-quality private care, but only to the niche public that can afford it. 

While the private sector has made some investments in developing medical centers and hospitals, healthcare facilities are predominantly available in urban areas, leaving rural regions with inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Many healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed in conflict zones, especially in the east, creating further barriers to accessing healthcare and leading to significantly high mortality rates.

 

 

Dive deep into taboos and stigmas – expand your understanding of the problem! 

The issue extends beyond logistical and economic challenges; it is deeply rooted in the culture of the DRC, which has historically lagged behind. Today, many Congolese suffer and die from preventable conditions due to a lack of access to preventative care. It’s not their fault that they are unaware, but this must be considered when understanding the problem holistically. 

In recent years, the government, along with international stakeholders, has initiated efforts to provide preventative care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health and PEV collaborated with international partners to vaccinate the population. Despite these efforts, many people did not visit vaccination centers, believing COVID-19 to be a “white man’s disease.” Although the government has launched extensive vaccination and prevention campaigns for many diseases, many people in the DRC rely on traditional healers, clerics, and herbal medicine due to deep-rooted cultural practices and beliefs. Traditional medicine is believed to address not only physical ailments but also spiritual and social issues. 

However, in today’s context, this is insufficient. Regular check-ups are crucial for disease prevention by identifying potential health issues early on. Regular health checks help monitor risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. They also identify chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. 

Many people in the DRC die without their families knowing the cause of death. In some cases, diseases are considered the work of the devil or a curse from God. Education plays a key role, and it is the obligation of healthcare personnel to educate people during their check-up routines. By helping patients understand their diseases and risks, healthcare providers can educate them on healthy lifestyle choices and preventive practices. This education includes advice on diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol use, which are all critical factors in maintaining overall health and preventing disease. 

All of the above merely scratches the surface. My colleague Reagan earlier discussed the “Precarity and Trivialization of Mental Health in the DRC,” an emergency often overlooked. Unfortunately, cultural beliefs and stigmas significantly impact people’s willingness to seek regular care. Mental health is highly stigmatized in the DRC, with sufferers often viewed as dangerous or possessed, leading to social isolation and reluctance to seek help. Similarly, despite efforts to educate the public about HIV/AIDS, those affected face discrimination and fear of ostracization, discouraging them from seeking help. 

Let’s stop nagging! It’s time to take some action! 

Thailand has significantly improved its healthcare system over the past few decades, largely due to the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) in 2002. This scheme has provided comprehensive healthcare services to about 75% of the population, dramatically increasing access for the poor and rural populations with minimal out-of-pocket expenses. The focus on primary healthcare, development of a multi-tiered health financing system, substantial investments in health infrastructure, and strategies to train and retain healthcare professionals have collectively enhanced healthcare accessibility and quality across the country. 

As a result of these reforms, Thailand has seen marked improvements in health outcomes. Life expectancy has increased from 69 years in 2000 to 77 years in 2021, while maternal mortality has dropped from 48 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 20 in 2017. Child mortality rates have also significantly decreased, with under-five mortality falling from 27 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 10 in 2019. Additionally, Thailand has made notable progress in controlling infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, underscoring the effectiveness of its public health campaigns and treatment programs. These advancements demonstrate the positive impact of comprehensive health policies and investments in infrastructure and workforce development, serving as a model for other countries. 

As the DRC continues to expand its presence in Africa, improving the healthcare system is crucial to the development of its population. Access to healthcare is essential for building a higher quality of life, alleviating the burden of illness through prevention and early detection. 

Normalizing regular check-ups and raising awareness about their importance requires a multifaceted approach. Key stakeholders must form partnerships to achieve essential steps. The government must ensure that healthcare facilities are accessible to the entire population by mapping current locations and identifying areas that need new facilities. Additionally, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to expand and strengthen healthcare facilities and infrastructure is vital for comprehensive healthcare reform. Implementing affordable medication programs will make healthcare more accessible to everyone. Furthermore, engaging community leaders and healthcare professionals to break stigmas and educate the public is essential for fostering a health-conscious society.

Enhancing financial access through insurance coverage and government assistance programs can alleviate the economic barriers to healthcare. Investing in the continuous development and retention of healthcare workers will ensure a skilled workforce. Educating the public about mental health and addressing stigmas will promote mental well-being alongside physical health. 

Building a robust healthcare sector requires collective efforts from all fronts, ensuring the population feels secure about their health and is relieved from the burden of illness. By taking these proactive steps, the DRC can pave the way for a healthier, more prosperous future for its people. 

The journey to improving healthcare in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is an urgent and necessary endeavor. With the population expected to reach 200 million by 2050, it is imperative that the nation addresses the severe challenges facing its healthcare system. The strides made by countries like Thailand, through the implementation of universal health coverage and strategic health policies, serve as an inspiring model. Thailand’s success story highlights that with commitment, collaboration, and investment, significant improvements in health outcomes are possible. 

For the DRC, normalizing regular check-ups and raising awareness about their importance are critical steps towards a healthier future. Readers are urged to schedule their regular health check-ups, which are essential for early detection and prevention of diseases. Free or low-cost services are available at various healthcare facilities, particularly those supported by government initiatives and international aid programs. Community health centers, especially in urban areas, often provide affordable care. It is vital to utilize these resources, seek regular medical advice, and participate in health education programs. By taking these steps, we can collectively work towards a resilient and well-structured healthcare system that secures the well-being of the Congolese people.



Africa, the cradle of humanity, a land that stirs the soul with its mystic allure. My soul chose to be born in a land where golden savannahs stretch far and wide. A land where one can witness the plains come alive with the rhythmic footsteps of herds embarking on their breath-taking migration in a timeless display of resilience and unity. A country that holds beauty, that enchants the senses and ignites wonder.

My land, my motherland Kenya. Born into a Kenyan family of Asian descent, a family that has lived and breathed Kenya and Africa for previous 5 generations, I can only identify as a Kenyan, a proud 6th generation African. Brought up in a family where ‘Being Human’ was the main principal belief. We have been raised with values that don’t differ greatly from those of the thousands of tribes that make up Africa – roots, heritage, family, faith, morals, principles and more.

Many years ago, I stood on stage at a speech writing contest in High School, where I described the strategy behind Muhamad Ali’s glorious win where he “floated like a butterfly, and stung like a bee” against George Foreman, in the fight forever known as the ‘Rumble in the Jungle.’ Years later, never even in my wildest imagination, did I imagine I would be living in the very ‘jungle’ itself, and working in the world of strategic storytelling and encouraging the amplification of Congolese voices and narratives far and wide across the globe from the heart of Africa.

Congo or as it was then called Zaire, a land that was stamped in the memory of the World as the place where Ali fought Foreman and caused a mighty Rumble in the boxing world. A battle that was immortalised in the song ‘In Zaire’ sung by Johnny Wakelin. Congo was a land everyone wanted to know about.

A land that is endowed with all the riches known to mankind. A blessed land, with a rich cultural heritage and a teeming, deserving population. A land sadly destroyed by its colonial past. Which, since its independence, is slowly trying to attain its rightful place in the World. It is here that I arrived five years back.

As I look back on my first five years of living in the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been moments of floating and very often, little stings. I moved to Kinshasa for love. In the beginning, I can honestly admit, it was not love for the city or the country or the people – I didn’t know enough about this 

ginormous country and the 100+ million people that fill its borders – it was personal love. But five years later, I never thought I could love a country and its people as though they were mine. That love comes from the heart that feels the mystic rhythm of the African land, and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home.

You can never shake the ancient dust of Africa off your boots – no matter how far and wide you travel.

Having lived in London for thirteen years followed by a few years in the Middle East, returning to Africa was natural. 

The love for Africa always remains in the soul. Living in the heart and soul of Central Africa, has been an adventure.

The narratives that have filled Western Media have sung a different song for many years, call it geo-politics, strategic positioning, economic control, all things aside, the story of the Congo has never really been told loudly by the Congolese themselves. From the outside looking in, the perceptions are dotted and plagued with negativity, but on the ground, the beating hearts of the Congolese are rumbling a little louder day by day towards progress, and it’s in these slivers of hope, that the true stories are revealed.

The stories that spotlight the young entrepreneur battling to build a viable business, young students carving out their careers currently into untapped and underdeveloped industries, the non-existent middle class that should build the private sector and contribute to its growth and the country’s economy, international investors building projects that create jobs and wealth for the locals as much as it does for the financial interest in the Congo. We can’t talk about changing the narrative of a country when we don’t discuss the positive changes that education, infrastructure developments, economic policies, universal health care, food self sufficiency etc can contribute towards developing Congo.

In Africa, a transformative era is on the horizon as the continent sets its sights on change and development like never before, and country examples like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco, and Kenya are a testament to these positive changes. A combined drive by the Africans to build an Africa by Africans for a future developed Africa. A daunting task as a fellow African who first arrived in Kinshasa for a two-week trip which quickly extended from month to month and snowballed into creating a business in the field of strategic advisory and communications. It was created around the simple premise – the African narrative needs to be written by the Africans, and the Congolese needed a platform for their voices to be heard as far and wide across the globe.

At the heart of Africa, the center of its soul, the Congolese beats are picking up. Business is quietly picking up, post the first peaceful democratic elections. As the incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi embarks on his second mandate, the world waits with bated breath for the promised change and greater development, the impact of which can be felt across the entire population. Whether its infrastructure, governance reform, education, better health, access to basic needs – there are plenty of conversations to be had. Storytelling, an essential part of Congolese culture, an oral tradition that is filled with narratives, stories, and songs, need to be told from the perceptions and opinions of the Congolese.

In the past, and especially in 2023 the power and bias of the international media came to the forefront.

Geopolitics and powerful Media Houses controlled and amplified the narrative that in their perception was important. It’s only natural to question the visibility of certain global issues over another. This raises the question about the impact of our voices when catastrophes and issues affecting an African country are narrated differently. Whether it’s election, unrest or other catastrophes affecting an African country, sometimes the western media does not consider it newsworthy because they do not have an in-depth understanding and information of the issues and disasters that affects this Continent.

There are a lot of positive changes happening as well, and these news worthy developments need to be made a part of the Global narrative. Positive or negative these conversations need to be had openly and who better than the Africans to be at the forefront of this narrative. The true voices of the Congolese need to be heard from their heart and soul and from their perspective. That’s when the true picture of the reality of their lives, struggles and aspirations emerges.

There is a need for a platform where the Congolese voices and the African voices can be heard, where views can be freely given not as a negative but as a positive approach to help bring the DRC to take its rightful place, not just in Africa but also in the World. Is it not our experiences from around the world when put together with like minded individuals – where greatness begins? Where stories and narratives become the basis for legacies.

DRConversations is the platform created as a gift for all the voices that need to be heard, for all the emotions that need to be expressed and to bring forth the dreams and aspirations of a nation on the cusp of development. Join this journey by sharing openly your knowledge and experience to make DRC a happy, positive and progressive Nation.

It’s time for another rumble in the jungle – Welcome to the conversations from the Congo.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             KS