Health in the DRC: the Lokando reference health center in dire need of medicines
In the province of Maniema, 60 kilometers from Kindu, is the Lokando reference health center. Unfortunately, the latter is faced with a major problem: a lack of medication. The facility’s medical director, Dr. Gervais Djela Luka, told a news conference that the center has not received a supply of medicines for more than six months.
According to Dr. Gervais Djela, the last financial support from the Global Fund dates back to the last quarter of 2022. Since then, the Lokando health center has been struggling to meet the medical needs of the local population. This lack of medication has serious consequences. Indeed, some patients die along the way when they are referred to other health facilities.
Apart from the problem of supply of medicines, the doctor also drew attention to the dilapidated condition of the road that connects Lokando health center to other destinations. This poor road condition further complicates the situation, making it difficult to transfer patients to better-equipped health facilities.
Faced with this critical situation, Dr Gervais Djela launched an urgent appeal to the government, health partners as well as people of good will to support the Lokando reference center in terms of drug supply and maintenance. roads. He particularly requested the help of the sons of Kailo, the locality where the center is located, in order to protect the health of the local population.
This situation highlights the challenges facing health facilities in the DRC, particularly in remote areas where access to quality health care is often limited. The government and health partners must consider sustainable solutions to ensure regular supplies of medicines and improve health infrastructure, including roads to facilitate medical transfers.
In conclusion, the Lokando referral health center faces a serious lack of medicines, which compromises the quality of care provided and endangers the lives of patients