North Kivu, a province ravaged by armed conflict, is home to more than 2 million displaced people living in precarious conditions and lacking adequate health care. Faced with this alarming situation, a group of young volunteers, nicknamed “Goma Actif”, recently launched an urgent appeal to the government to set up primary health care in the camps for displaced people.
This movement of young activists highlights a crucial problem: limited access to medical care constitutes a major challenge in the humanitarian response to those displaced by war. According to Didier Buingo, doctor and member of Goma Actif, many displaced people do not benefit from appropriate care due to various obstacles. Among these, the distance separating the camps from health centers, the insufficient resources allocated to medical care and poor hygiene in the camps are the most worrying.
The lack of adequate health care primarily exposes displaced children to increased risks, particularly regarding their nutritional status and fragile immune systems. Indeed, a child who is malnourished and suffering from nutritional deficiencies is more likely to contract infections and face serious health problems.
In order to remedy this critical situation, Goma Actif recommends the establishment of a minimum primary health care package in the displaced persons’ camps, as well as the mobilization of community relay teams to provide local medical assistance. This initiative aims to guarantee equitable and effective access to health care for displaced populations, who are among the most vulnerable in the region.
Faced with the urgency of the situation and the scale of the health needs of the displaced people of North Kivu, it is imperative that government authorities pay particular attention to this issue and take concrete measures to improve access to health care. primary health. Health is a fundamental right for all individuals, and it is essential that displaced populations can benefit from quality medical care to preserve their well-being and dignity.