** Fifty years of neuro-psychopathological care: the Kinshasa CNPP, a head of mental health in the DRC **
On March 24, 2023, the Neuro-Psychopathological Center of Kinshasa (CNPP) celebrated a striking milestone in its history, the fifty years of a continuous commitment to mental and neurological health in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This anniversary, celebrated through an open day, made it possible not only to publicize the services of the CNPP, but also to instill an essential discourse on the state of mental health in a country where challenges are as numerous as they are complex.
### A symbolic birthday
For Professor Daniel Okitundu, CNPP director, this anniversary is an invitation to immerse himself in the history and the crucial role of this institution. Created on the initiative of the President of the 2nd Republic, the CNPP was designed as a mental health center, an area often overlooked in Africa and even more in DRC, where the resources allocated to health are limited.
** A building to build: challenges and reality **
By analyzing the challenges that the CNPP and, more broadly, the mental health sector in the DRC face, it is crucial to take a critical look at the financial reality of health institutions. According to the Ministry of Health, only 4% of the national budget is allocated to health, a figure which is abyssally low compared to the standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which advocates a minimum of 15%. This lack of funding has direct repercussions on the level of care offered to patients, who often come from disadvantaged socio-economic strata.
** A multidimensional approach to mental health **
What is even more worrying is the absence of a holistic strategy for the integration of mental health care within the general health system. While the CNPP strives to provide quality care, patients often rely on traditional treatments or unregulated practices, due to the lack of financial means. This raises a fundamental question: how can the State guarantee equitable access to care for all its citizens?
In this perspective, local and community initiatives are gaining importance. Mental health work must be accompanied by the awareness and education of citizens. For example, the CNPP took advantage of the fiftieth anniversary to organize free consultations on March 28, an act which should raise awareness of the importance of taking care of its mental health.
### Local statistics and realities
In addition, statistics on mental health in the DRC are alarming. According to an WHO study carried out in 2021, 12 million Congolese suffer from mental disorders, but only 1 psychiatrist per 1 million inhabitants is present in the country. These figures illustrate the urgency of a collective action to improve access to treatments and the rehabilitation of affected people.
One could also wonder about the situation of mental health in other countries of the region, such as Rwanda or Uganda, which recently made significant reforms in their mental health systems, making their experiences particularly enriching for the DRC. By playing on integrated and community care models, these countries have succeeded in approaching the challenges of mental health with an inclusive and sustainable framework.
### A promising future?
For the future of the CNPP and mental health in the DRC, collaboration with the government is not only desirable but essential. This requires that political actors recognize the importance of this issue and invest in it with conviction. This could make the difference between a health system that fights to survive and a system that manages to prosper.
On the occasion of this anniversary, the CNPP also reiterated its objective of raising mental health at a strategic level as a central pillar of the DRC development. Under the theme “Brain health, mental health: strategic pillars for the emergence of the DRC”, this commitment should encourage political, social and economic actors to combine their efforts to overcome obstacles.
### Conclusion: common commitment for health
Fifty years after its creation, the CNPP should not only be seen as a care institution, but also as a symbol of hope for vulnerable populations. Through a collective commitment, accompanied by an adequate vision and strategies, it is possible to dream of an DRC where mental health is recognized as a fundamental right, essential to human dignity and the progress of society. Thus, the anniversary of the CNPP may well mark the beginning of a new era for mental health in the DRC, an opportunity not to be missed for health players, the government and the citizens.