** Construction of a health center in Halungupa: a step towards resilience in North Kivu **
On May 14, 2025, a significant step was taken for the health of the inhabitants of Halungupa, agglomeration located in the Malambo group, Ruwenzori sector, about 30 kilometers from Beni, with the official launch of the construction of a modern health center. This project, enrolled in a broader framework for stabilization and recovery of the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is of particular importance for a population marked by years of instability and suffering.
### Context and historical
Halungupa has experienced serious disruptions since the fire of its previous health center, caused by Ugandan rebels ADF about three years ago. This devastating event had not only destroyed the essential infrastructure for public health, but also led to the looting of drugs and medical equipment, leaving the community in a precarious situation. Since its closure, the inhabitants have encountered a severe lack of care, thus aggravating the challenges they face.
This health center, created in 1994 and which has become a reference center in 2017, is more than a simple infrastructure. It represents a symbol of hope for a population that aspires to access to quality care and healing. The announcement of the new project, focused on accessible care, has aroused positive reactions within the community, marking a first step towards recovery of confidence in essential services.
## Committee and project monitoring
Jean Claude Kasomo, coordinator of the stabilization and raising project, insisted on the importance of respecting the deadlines for carrying out the work, stressing the urgent need of a health center in this region. This concern for sequence and rigor in time management is essential, not only for the smooth running of the project, but also to maintain the commitment of the population, which has long been disappointed with uninformed promises.
The coordinator in charge of health in the province, Prisca Luanda, has expressed hope that this center will become a real anchor for health care in the region, guaranteeing a quality of service, regardless of the financial means of patients. This extended vision of care provides support for a more human approach to health, which can potentially transform the lives of thousands of individuals.
### Denials to anticipate
However, the construction of this health center is not without raising crucial issues. Will the sustainability of the project be guaranteed beyond the initial construction? Will the team of health professionals who will have to work there sufficiently trained and supported? In addition, funding and supply of medical equipment will be decisive factors for the long -term success of this center. A rigorous and continuous consultation with local communities is essential to ensure that the evolutionary needs of the population are taken into account.
### Conclusion
The creation of a health center in Halungupa is an initiative that deserves to be praised as a sign of progress in the face of chronic crises. However, it is fundamental to approach this progress with critical reflection on the challenges to be overcome and the expectations to be managed. Provincial authorities and partners should ensure that this project is included in an inclusive and sustainable development framework, going beyond the walls of the health center, to reach all the dimensions of community life.
The commitment of the provincial government, accompanied by a collective vigilance of the actors concerned, could thus sign a positive turning point in public health in the North Kivu and give new momentum to the resilience of its population in the face of adversities. The path will be long and strewn with pitfalls, but it can also pave the way for sustainable stabilization and a better future for the inhabitants of Halungupa.