ASSESING EFFECTS ARMED CONFLICT ON HEALTH CARE DELIVERY IN WAR TORN REGION OF GOMA IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Abstract

The issue of quality healthcare service &limy been 10 challenges in Democratic Republic of Congo since the outbreak of the Civil mir in the late 1990's. Despite its importance as an indispensable basic service to the community, no detailed study has been undertaken to understand specific aspects of the armed conflicts that influence the quality/level healthcare service delivery to both persons in internally displaced camps and rural communities in war zone region. Therefore, this study assessed effects of armed conflict on the healthcare service delivery in DR Congo- a case of Goma region. A mixed research approach was employed, in that regard, a descriptive research design was used. The study employed a sample size of 240 respondents. Since the approach of the study was qualitative, the content/ thematic analysis was employed. However, the quantitative data collected were analyzed by using Statistical Packaging for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found that the health centers in Goma area are provided with medicines and medical equipment that preserve them in strong rooms located in UN small camps for protection. Healthcare officials in the Goma war zone encounter challenges to ensure that the service is delivered to the needy people and patients. The system that is used to deliver the healthcare services in war-torn Goma depends much on the severity of the insurgent fighting situation on the ground as well as the infrastructure. It was found that the conflict had a variety of consequences in the health sector. There were frequent attacks against the medical mission, in particular, most of the attacks were upon the lives and integrity of healthcare personnel followed that against the infrastructure. The study indicated the violent frequent acts by armed groups were also against the infrastructure, especially the ambulance and some ended in four occupants being killed. The study also revealed that armed conflict acts blocked shipments of medical provisions destined to some remote communities. In order to effectively improve the delivery of health services, including Maternal and Reproductive Health services in conflict settings, attention should be placed on identifying the major channels through which access to and quality of healthcare is disrupted. Identifying such channels should inform the development of interventions to improve access to quality health services.