Medical consultations are essential to guarantee access to health care for often precarious populations. It is with this in mind that Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has set up a health center in Kanyaruchinya, province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in order to meet the health needs of the local population.
The MSF report for the period from July 2022 to June 2023 reveals alarming figures. In total, 82,229 consultations were recorded, affecting different types of illnesses such as malaria, scabies, respiratory infections and diarrhoea. These consultations are also extended to victims of sexual violence, pregnant women and road accident victims.
The situation worsened with the arrival of new displaced families from the end of October, which led to a significant increase in the number of daily consultations, from 80 to 240. Faced with this growing demand, MSF teams had to intensify care to meet the needs of the population.
Apart from these common illnesses, the teams also faced outbreaks of cholera and an outbreak of measles. To deal with these situations, 108,949 children aged 6 months to 9 years were vaccinated against measles.
Despite these efforts, living conditions in the region remain undignified and precarious. According to UN estimates, approximately 210,000 people live in Kanyaruchinya, and MSF continues to raise awareness about the need to improve these conditions and ensure sustainable access to health care for the population.
In conclusion, the medical consultations carried out by Médecins Sans Frontières in Kanyaruchinya make it possible to meet the urgent health needs of the population of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, it is crucial to continue to support these initiatives and to work in collaboration with local authorities to improve living conditions and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all