Kayuyu Health Center in Maniema Faces Critical Shortages of Staff and Medicine
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The reference health center in Kayuyu, Maniema, faces severe shortages of medicine, equipment, and medical staff.
- Patients are forced to sleep on mats due to a lack of hospital beds, with only one doctor serving the local population.
- Local authorities are appealing for urgent intervention from provincial officials to improve healthcare services, noting that recent road improvements could aid supply delivery.
The reference health center in Kayuyu, located in the Wakabango 2 sector of Pangi territory in Maniema, is grappling with critical operational challenges, including severe shortages of essential medicines, medical equipment, and healthcare personnel. The alarm was raised on Thursday, August 13, by Ngumbi Kalokola Prince, the head of the Wakabango 2 sector, who urgently appealed to provincial authorities for intervention.
Compounding the crisis, the facility lacks sufficient hospital beds, forcing numerous patients to sleep on mats in what local authorities describe as precarious conditions. The center is severely understaffed, with only a single physician responsible for the healthcare needs of the entire local population. This lone doctor is sometimes required to travel to other areas, such as Lumuna, located 23 kilometers away, to provide medical assistance.
"We have a problem with the presence of a doctor at the Kayuyu reference center. The population is in difficulty," explained Ngumbi Kalokola Prince. He urged provincial authorities to bolster the center with more doctors, as well as necessary equipment and medications. The local official noted that recent rehabilitation of the road leading to Kayuyu has eased access, potentially facilitating the delivery of much-needed supplies. He called on the provincial government and health sector partners to leverage these improved road infrastructures to quickly resupply the center.
We have a problem with the presence of a doctor at the Kayuyu reference center. The population is in difficulty.
Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.