Congo/Health: local committees work to improve community healthcare

The Health Committees (Cosa) of the Makélékélé and Talangaï health districts were recently renewed, as part of a program to improve access to quality health services. Comprising a wide range of social sensitivities, the Cosa help to run the Integrated Health Centers (CSI).

CSI management is based on a community approach involving the Cosa and the technical team represented by the nursing staff. Cosa members are involved in managing the resources allocated to or generated by the CSIs. Their role is essential during periods of epidemiological risk, particularly for prevention campaigns, vaccination campaigns and the distribution of health kits.

The three CSIs in the Talangaï health district, the capital's sixth arrondissement, each have a Cosa office. The members of the "Maman Mboualé", "Marien-Ngouabi" and "Fleuve Congo" ISCs were elected on October 10 for a three-year term. The same ritual was observed on October 14 for the appointment of new Cosa members for the "Ngassa-Mayoma", "Terinkyo" and "Fleuve Congo" ISCs.Terinkyo" and "Jean-Taty", located in the arrondissement 1 Makélékélé health district.

Both health districts are struggling with numerous cases of malaria, particularly among children. The participation of local committees is expected to improve access to local healthcare. "The first pathology we record is malaria. It's the leading cause of consultation in our health centers. After malaria comes influenza, genital infections, some dermatoses and vaccinations for pregnant women. But we are faced with inherent difficulties, especially in terms of medical equipment and medicines. The Cosa is what we want to monitor what's happening in the IHCs ", said Norbert Landzi, head of the "Fleuve Congo" IHC.

His colleagues in the Makélékélé health district receive malaria and dermatitis cases more often than others. Cases of malnutrition and genital infections are regularly treated in these health areas, as Dr Lypsia Bassissila, head physician of the same health district, testifies. " Our health centers are operating normally, 24/7, with all the strategies in place, including malaria treatment for children aged 0 to 15 years", said Dr. Bassissila.

The restructuring of local committees was formalized by the 2020 decree (n°2020-553), promoting the involvement of civil society players in the management of the national health system. With this in mind, the Congolese Consumer Rights Observatory carried out a study in 2018 that identified numerous flaws in the system, including the low level of involvement of civil society and beneficiary communities in the management of the IHCs. Thanks to funding of over 26 million FCFA from the French Embassy in Congo, the Observatory is engaged in the process of restructuring twelve health committees in five health districts across the country.

Source: www.adiac-congo.com