In the Democratic Republic of Congo, malaria is a very worrying public health problem. 97% of the population is affected by this endemic and deadly disease. And our surrounding communities are not spared by this alarming situation.
How to explain a disease that has already reached an endemic level can always be more expensive for a certain class of the population to be taken care of? despite preventive measures such as the distribution of impregnated mosquito nets, malaria remains deadly in many surrounding communities because appropriate care is expensive for a low-income category of the population.
According to national estimates, only 30% of the population lives within five kilometers of the nearest health facility. Therefore, the approach taken has been to focus on establishing community care sites to address these gaps in malaria service delivery. Across the DRC, an estimated 18,350 community care sites are needed for a full scale-up of the campaign. Currently, only about 38% of these sites (6,968 sites) have been set up. In addition to this situation of insufficient community care sites, the expenses incurred in case of malaria treatment pose another headache for the low income class of the population. For example here in Lubumbashi, in the south-eastern city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where we are in the process of carrying out this survey, all the care necessary for the treatment of malaria can reach around 80 US dollars for a malaria patient. it is only an expense made for one person. Assess now if two or three people in this family have malaria...
With this, we have the empathy to establish a non-profit community health center to reduce the cost of medical care and treatment for malaria as a priority. For now, we are going through African's online social incubation program where we gain more information as we go through the definitions of social entrepreneurship and design thinking. we present this project on the forum in order to have more additional ideas.
At the early phase of the problem, I recall you have 3 main issues you wanted to tacked in your community.
I am glad to see that after your research on the stakeholders of your community, you have chosen to focus on a problem which is of great significance to them.
I too am looking forward to seeing the solution you have up come with, after researching more into this problem well as the stakeholders affected by this issue.
I see you mentioned creating a nonprofit community health center. Nonprofit community health centers rely on grant and donations which I do not believe to be sustainable in the long run.
Hi Emile, what is your solution to this problem?