Context
The health situation in the province of South Kivu in eastern Congo is precarious and the people suffer from inadequate access to health services. The difficult security situation, poverty and geographical and cultural aspects impair health care for many people.
The province of South Kivu has the highest mortality rate in the country. Maternal and infant mortality rates in particular are alarmingly high. In addition to regular outbreaks of malaria, acute respiratory infections, malnutrition and parasitic illnesses, epidemics of diseases like cholera, measles and, most recently, Ebola are a regular occurrence.
Objective
People’s health has improved in the eight supported health zones. The population has access to a wider range of health care, better quality of services and improved access.
Approach
The project works with teams of experts in the provincial capital Bukavu. An estimated 1.5 million people in the eight health zones of Kaziba, Minova, Mubumbano, Mwana, Nyangezi, Nyantende, Ruzizi and Uvira stand to benefit from the activities in the long term.
The project works closely with South Kivu’s Ministry of Health (MPS), South Kivu’s Health Department (DPS) and the provincial health authority. First, it aims to improve the supply of medicines and the quality of health care services. For this purpose, the project helps the health zones with their annual planning. Health care and administration staff take part in training courses for specific specialist topics such as financial management and health care. The quality of health care services is checked regularly and a bonus scheme is being introduced for health care staff. A second component of the project is providing support for financial administration in the health sector. In this context, it supports existing initiatives for the financial support of people in need and risk distribution (health insurance plans).
A new planning system for the supply of medicines and a price list is also being developed. Thirdly, the project strengthens administrative structures in the province with the goal of improving cooperation among individual actors (including DPS, MPS and the provincial health authority). The project is also improving health care infrastructure. Selected health centres and hospitals in the health zones are being renovated or rebuilt and reequipped. Finally, the project also supports the provincial laboratory with conducting surveys and implementing a risk warning system.
Results
—Mothers are provided with antenatal advice and obstetric care and they and their children also receive vaccinations. Partnership agreements have been signed with health care stakeholders and service contracts with eight health zones, eight hospitals and 123 health centres to this end.
—Some 11,835 young people have been educated about sexual and reproductive health. The project supports 14 youth centres in this work. Community groups run educational sessions that deal with various topics including preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
—The motivation of staff in the health system has increased. Service quality has improved as a result. The project pays performance-based bonuses in this context. Regular advisory workshops and meetings are organised in the health zones and provinces to adapt further activities.
—A new central health facility has been set up in the Nyangezi health zone. The Kasihe health centre in the Mwana health zone and a coordination office for health insurance in Bukavu have also been built. In addition, the hospital in Kasiba has been refurbished. These are just a few examples of many health care institutions that have been built or refurbished.
—The hospital in the Nyangezi health zone has a solar power system to safeguard the supply of power in an emergency. Hospitals and supported health centres are equipped with medical devices, such as mobile ultrasound machines, ECG machines, electric scalpels, special lamps, operating tables and birthing tables.
—Various studies have been carried out, meaning scientific findings are available regarding pricing, nursing costs and the purchasing power of the population in South Kivu province.