The tragic consequences of a communal conflict persist in the village of Bisiala, located in the territory of Kwamouth, province of Mai-Ndombe, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than a year after the incursion of the Mobondo militiamen in this village, the health structures are still closed, leaving the population without access to the necessary medical care.
This situation has significant repercussions on the health of the inhabitants, especially pregnant women. Due to the lack of a functional health centre, they are forced to give birth at home, without benefiting from essential prenatal care. Some use traditional midwives to assist them, but this solution is far from guaranteeing optimal and safe conditions for mothers and babies.
In addition, the lack of health services leads to other dangerous practices, including the circumcision of boys using unsterilized blades. Families find themselves forced to resort to experienced women in the community to carry out this operation, due to a lack of qualified personnel and suitable infrastructure. This situation exposes children to a high risk of infection and postoperative complications.
Faced with this precarious state of health, the inhabitants of Bisiala have no choice but to go to Menkwo, a neighboring village located 7 kilometers away, to receive medical care. However, the path to this village is often perilous, and many deaths are recorded along the way.
The village of Bisiala was the scene of violence and destruction during the attack by Mobondo militiamen in September 2022. Since then, a large part of the population has been forced to flee the village, leaving behind devastated health infrastructures. and a vulnerable community struggling to survive.
It is essential that measures are taken to restore access to health care in the village of Bisiala. Functional medical structures and qualified personnel are necessary to meet the needs of the local population, especially pregnant women and children. Efforts must also be made to ensure the safety of the population and prevent new community conflicts, in order to guarantee an environment conducive to the reconstruction and the well-being of the community.
The story of the village of Bisiala is a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of communal conflicts on local populations. It is essential that the international community, local authorities and humanitarian organizations mobilize to support the reconstruction of Bisiala and provide residents with access to the medical care they desperately need