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HEALTH
In Kisangani, a humanitarian organisation is offering health services at practically no cost to the people of Lubanga
Since July 2000, the inhabitants of the health area of Lubanga in Kisangani are in their seventh heaven. They are benefiting from the practically free services of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
This organisation has three objectives. First of all, the formation of health workers and members of health committees, aimed at improving the quality of care. Then the supply of drugs essential for making primary health care more accessible to the people. And finally, the installation of health equipment and the supply of water in the different health centres of the area, in order to prevent cholera or at least limit its spread. The IRC thus cares for 132,700 people in 18 health centres.
Training: In close collaboration with the central office of the area, the IRC organises training in diagnosis, the use and dispensing of medication, vaccination, and the monitoring of epidemics.
Drugs: The health centres of Lubanga receive regular supplies of essential drugs. In actual fact, very few centres are able to renew their pharmacy stocks from the fees of patients for their consultations. The IRC is responsible for stocking the centres according to their patient-lists. The cost of remedies is aimed to make it possible for most people in each health area to obtain whatever medication is needed.
Water and sanitation: Main activities are concerned with providing for water and sanitation needs in the health centres, and where necessary, storing rain water in reservoirs. Existing systems are repaired, assuring that the installations permit hand-washing in the vicinity of latrines. Personnel are trained to maintain these installations and to build latrines in each health centre.
Care for the destitute: The IRC looks after all the needs of the destitute. The medical teams of the IRC and the health centres together determine the criteria for selecting such people. The lists are regularly brought up-to-date and displayed in the centres.
This is how the system operates. The destitute needing treatment receive a coupon or ticket which they present at the health centre. At the end of each month, the health committee gives a list of the destitute who have received treatment. Upon presentation of proof, the IRC reimburses the centre. These are the figures for the destitute registered in 12 centres during the first half of 2001: January — 905; February — 1,523; March — 1,889; April — 1,120; May — 1,917; June — 2,317.
This system safeguards the self-financing of the centres, and assures the continuity of the project. 70% of the revenue from consultations goes towards paying the staff, and 30% to general expenses. With regard to the revenue from medicines, 60% is set aside to buy fresh supplies and equipment; 30% to paying the staff; 10% for general expenses.
The IRC has been in Kisangani since July 2000. It is a humanitarian organisation founded by Albert Einstein in 1933. At that time, it aimed at helping intellectuals fleeing from Nazi Germany to find safety in the United States. Since then, the IRC has extended its operations worldwide to help refugees or displaced persons, as well as every victim of war or violence. It also conducts a huge programme of integrating refugees in the United States. Today the IRC is working in thirty different countries, and has extended its operations to the reconstruction and development of disaster-stricken countries. It is administered by its president, Renold Levy, from offices in New York. Its European offices are in London and Madrid.
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