Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Population: 68,692,542 (July 2009 est)
GDP per capita (PPP): $300 (2008 est)
Total expenditure on health per capita: $18 (Intl $, 2006)
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formally known as Zaire) is in Central Africa and is one of the largest and most populous nations. It has had many years of civil war and strife, with some stability appearing in the last few years.
Implementing Partner in-Country: Bureau Diocésain des OEuvres Médicales (BDOM) de Kinshasa (Dr. Margureite DeClerck and colleagues).
Life for a Child Support
Commenced 2003
There are great needs in health in DRC. The Government health system has few resources, and cannot provide insulin or other supplies for people with diabetes. Children and youth with diabetes, and their families, face a multitude of challenges. Many children with diabetes die quickly, and most others have very poor blood sugar control. The Catholic Health Service in the capital Kinshasa has a program for youth with diabetes. Basic but capable medical care is provided through clinics to the 200+ children and youth with diabetes in and around the capital.
In 2003, we started supporting the care of 30 children, and with further support from corporate and individual partners this has grown to full support for 90, with partial support for the remainder. The support is used to purchase insulin, meters and strips for the clinic, diabetes education and resource materials, and other needs. Also, we provide funds for the medical care of young type 1 women who are pregnant – stillbirth and other complications rates are very high in this group.
We are planning to extend our support within Kinshasa, and also start assisting in the troubled eastern provinces.
