Author: Merveille Ilunga

A visit that signals renewed engagement When Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu crossed the palm-lined courtyard of WHO’s country office in Brazzaville on 24 June, the gesture was more than ceremonial. As acting regional director for Africa, he chose the Republic of Congo for his first in-country inspection since assuming office, underscoring the organisation’s resolve to remain physically present where epidemiological stakes are high and fiscal margins narrow. Conversations with national health officials revolved around the unfinished map of universal primary care laid out in the government’s 2022–2026 development plan, a document that remains aspirational without external stewardship. The symbolism of the…

Unveiling Systemic Challenges On June 19, in a candid press briefing, Professor Thierry Raoul Alexis Gombet, the director of Brazzaville’s University Hospital Center (CHU-B), highlighted the severe challenges faced by the institution. His detailed exposition provided an unvarnished view of how systemic issues, compounded by financial strictures and infrastructural inadequacies, are impeding the hospital’s operations. A Double Crisis: Health and Finance The CHU-B finds itself ensnared in a dual crisis of healthcare service delivery and financial constraints. According to Prof. Gombet, a global health crisis followed by a financial downturn has exacerbated the difficulties of maintaining hospital operations. A critical…

A Strategic Healthcare Collaboration The recent partnership between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Japan’s Nipro Group signifies a transformative chapter in the nation’s healthcare landscape. This collaboration aims to fortify the country’s approach to managing renal diseases. By leveraging Nipro’s expertise, the DRC intends to revolutionize its dialysis services, ultimately reducing the need for patients to seek medical treatment abroad—a scenario that has long posed both logistical and financial burdens. From Contract to Implementation The formalization of this partnership marks the culmination of intricate negotiations and administrative preparations. The now-signed agreement paves the way for a swift transition…

Le poids du paludisme en Afrique Le paludisme continue d’exercer une pression énorme sur les systèmes de santé en Afrique, représentant 25 % des hospitalisations sur le continent. La maladie, principalement transmise par les piqûres de moustiques infectés, est non seulement une menace pour la santé publique mais aussi un obstacle au développement économique. En 2019, l’OMS estimait que le paludisme avait affecté 228 millions de personnes en Afrique, occasionnant plus de 400 000 décès annuels. Cette maladie, si elle n’est pas traitée rapidement, peut s’avérer mortelle, nécessitant ainsi une intervention urgente et continue. Les moustiquaires imprégnées : une intervention…

Pointe-Noire’s Healthcare Struggles Resurface The syndicates of three major hospitals in Pointe-Noire, namely Adolphe Sicé, Loandjili, and Ngoyo, have reignited widespread industrial action as of June 18, 2025. This resurgence of strikes, initially announced on June 16, casts a shadow over the healthcare services, exacerbating the challenges in these medical facilities by suspending even the minimal operational standards. The immediate response from local authorities led by Pierre Cébert Iboko-Onanga has been to initiate negotiations, involving a delegation from Brazzaville aimed at establishing a minimal service protocol amidst the ongoing unrest. Financial Woes Behind the Strikes The governmental oversight is crucial…

An Ambitious Undertaking In a significant move this August, the Republic of Congo is deploying agents from its National Statistics Institute (INS) across the nation’s fifteen departments. The objective is to collect comprehensive health data reflecting hospital attendance, contraceptive practices, HIV incidence, and nutritional status. Primarily focusing on women aged 15 to 49, children under five, and men aged 15 to 64, this iteration marks the third such demographic and health survey since 2005 and 2011-2012. Strategic Preparations in Place During a pivotal meeting on June 20 in Brazzaville, the EDSC’s Steering Committee assessed progress and finalized preparations. The permanently…

A Diplomatic Milestone in Healthcare On June 18, 2025, Brazzaville witnessed the inauguration of a new hemodialysis center at the University Hospital Center (CHU), marking a significant achievement in healthcare diplomacy. The ceremony saw the transfer of the center’s keys by Michel Mongo, representing the Congo Assistance Foundation’s president, Antoinette Sassou N’Guesso, to Jean Rosaire-Ibara, Congo’s Minister of Health. This center is strategically located near the Antoinette Sassou-N’Guesso Sickle Cell Disease National Reference Center, aligning with broader healthcare integration efforts. Healthcare Access Through Strategic Partnerships The center promises affordable access to specialized treatments for patients suffering from both sickle cell…

A Tragic Incident in Bouansa On June 19, 2025, a tragic event occurred in Bouansa, located in the Bouenza department in Congo’s south. Three members of a family—father, mother, and their young child—died after consuming a type of yam known for its toxic properties. The youngest succumbed first, followed by his mother, while the father passed away during transit to a medical facility in Nkayi, despite efforts from local authorities. A Recurring Hazard This incident is not isolated. Similar tragedies have unfolded across Congo in recent years due to the consumption of yams. In September 2024, seven individuals in the…

A Glimpse Into the Crisis In an alarming revelation, the Antoinette-Sassou-N’Guesso National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease in Brazzaville reported 36 deaths over nine years due to sickle cell disease. This announcement was made during a press conference by Professor Alexis Elira Dokekias, alongside health ministry officials. As the world commemorates World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19, the Congo faces a sobering reality. While the center monitors 36,000 patients, the actual number of individuals suffering from this genetic disorder might be between 76,000 and 78,000, indicating a substantial treatment gap. Educational Initiatives at the Forefront Recognizing this…

Reflecting on Two Decades of Sickle Cell Management In the heart of Brazzaville, a significant milestone was reached at the National Sickle Cell Reference Center, Antoinette-Sassou-N’Guesso. Professor Alexis Elira Dokekias, the esteemed director of the center, articulated significant strides made over the last 20 years in combating sickle cell disease (SCD). In a press briefing attended by notable figures including Donatien Moukassa from the Ministry of Health, Professor Dokekias highlighted that the center witnessed only thirty-six fatalities from 2017 to the present day, a testament to their evolving disease management protocols. Progress Through Education and Training With a sincere dedication…