**Equity and Humanitarian Momentum: A Step Towards Universal Health Coverage in the DRC**
On January 7, 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) took a significant step towards achieving its national goal of universal health coverage (UHC), with the receipt by the National Fund for Promotion and Social Service (FNPSS) of four containers loaded with medical and orthopedic equipment. This humanitarian momentum, supported by the American NGO Projet Cure, is not limited to a simple charitable action: it represents a structuring initiative for the Congolese health system.
**A Donation That Is Part of a Global Context**
This gesture should not be seen in isolation. Indeed, the DRC, like many developing countries, is going through colossal challenges related to access to health care. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation, revealing the flaws of an already weakened system. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 60% of the Congolese population is still in a situation of health insecurity. The FNPSS initiative, led by the Director General Alice Mirimo Kabetsi, is part of a more ambitious project: to make health a right for all Congolese.
Compared to other countries in the region, such as Rwanda, which has managed to improve its health system through strategic partnerships and regular investment in health infrastructure, the DRC is still lagging behind in terms of health coverage. The Rwandan model has demonstrated that with political will and resource mobilization, it is possible to transform the health sector. Thus, the medical support of the Cure Project should be seen as a springboard to encourage other investors, NGOs and even the government to proactively engage in the overhaul of the health system.
**Logistics at the Heart of Health Action**
The distribution of medical equipment to the four beneficiary establishments, including hospitals in Kinshasa, Kananga and Sankuru, is part of a dynamic of territorial equity. The importance of logistics cannot be underestimated in a country with often failing infrastructure. Indeed, transporting medical equipment to remote areas poses major challenges in terms of transport, security and storage.
Alice Mirimo indicated that the destination of the containers was carefully considered to cover rural and urban areas, highlighting a social imperative: to combat health disparities. However, according to reports from organizations such as Médecins Sans Frontières, rural hospitals often suffer from a lack of suitable equipment, which compromises the quality of care provided.. This donation thus contributes to strengthening the capacities of health facilities, but it must go hand in hand with the training of practitioners and the development of effective resource management.
**A Catalyst Element: Training and Awareness-Raising**
It is not enough to provide equipment; appropriate training for health professionals is essential to ensure that this equipment is used correctly. Governments, in collaboration with NGOs and local actors, must invest in these training programs to ensure effective patient care. The establishment of a feedback system around the use of this equipment could also make it possible to adjust future humanitarian aid.
In addition, this momentum must include a strategy to raise awareness of the importance of health in communities, which are often poorly informed about the services available. Community engagement can significantly increase the impact of such initiatives and ensure better use of the infrastructure put in place.
**Towards a Healthier Future**
In conclusion, the initiative of the FNPSS and Projet Cure must be welcomed, but it must not be seen as an end. It is a beginning. A real public health strategy in the DRC must include a systemic and integrated approach, where access to care is not limited to the provision of equipment, but also includes awareness-raising, training and the improvement of health infrastructure and services.
As part of UHC, concerted efforts are essential for the Democratic Republic of Congo to move closer to international standards related to equitable and universal access to health care. The future of millions of Congolese people depends on it, whose right to health must be a collective priority. The fight against health inequalities is the foundation of sustainable and inclusive development, a challenge that all actors must take up together, today and for tomorrow.