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Kinshasa: Difference between revisions
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{{setLocation | {{setLocation | ||
|Country=Democratic Republic of the Congo | |Country=Democratic Republic of the Congo | ||
|City=Kinshasa | |City=Kinshasa | ||
}} | }} | ||
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'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has varying levels of resources available, depending upon the financial means and location of the person seeking care. The most resources are available in Kinshasa, the capital city, and in the private hospitals and clinics. However, many people cannot afford these private facilities, and there are also many people who live in more rural or remote areas. Regarding laws, contraception is legal and available, but most women do not use modern contraceptive methods. Emergency contraceptive pills are legally available over-the-counter in pharmacies. Abortion is only legally available when the pregnancy threatens the life of the pregnant person. | |||
The DRC is a diverse country with over 200 ethnic groups. The majority of the people are Bantu, and French is the official language. In terms of religion, 30% of the country is Roman Catholic and 27% are Protestant. Many of the people in the DRC live in poverty, despite the rich natural resources of the country. There is a large refugee population, including DRC citizens who have been internally displaced and refugees from other countries, such as Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi. The majority of the population is young, with about 46% between 0-14 years old, 20% between 15-24 years old, and 28% between 25-54 years old. Less than 10% of the population is over 55 years old, as of 2020.<ref name=ciaworldfactbook_drc>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cg.html CIA World Factbook: Congo, Democratic Republic]</ref> | |||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) are available in the DRC. The law states that they are available by prescription only,<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/congo-democratic-republic-kinshasa/ Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)]</ref> but it appears that it can be purchased without a prescription (based on testimony in reports). | Emergency contraceptive pills (also known as morning after pills) are available in the DRC. The law states that they are available by prescription only,<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/congo-democratic-republic-kinshasa/ Congo, Democratic Republic (Kinshasa)]</ref> but it appears that it can be purchased without a prescription (based on testimony in reports).<ref name="drc_ecawareness" /> | ||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
== | There are known travel restrictions related to HIV/AIDS. This means that, if you travel to the DRC, you will not be asked for a medical certificate or proof of your HIV status.<ref>[http://www.hivtravel.org/Default.aspx?PageId=143&CountryId=52 CONGO (KINSHASA) - REGULATIONS ON ENTRY, STAY AND RESIDENCE FOR PLHIV]</ref> | ||
Generally speaking, the DRC has a lower rate of HIV infection than many other African countries, and the country has made progress in reducing the infection rate. In 2018, it was estimated that about 45,000 people, which is less than 1% of the adult population, in the DRC were living with HIV. Between 2010-20, the HIV infection rate dropped from about 31,000/year (in 2010) to 19,000/year (in 2020). Furthermore, there was a 60% drop in the number of AIDS-related deaths, going from about 34,000 deaths/year (in 2010 to about 13,000 deaths/year (2020). In 2018, it was estimated that about 62% of people with HIV in the DRC knew their status, and about 57% of HIV people were on treatment. However, it is important to understand that women are especially at risk for HIV infection in the DRC. The HIV infection rates among young women (ages 15-24) are about 4 times those of young men.<ref name=undaids_drc>[https://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/democraticrepublicofthecongo UNAIDS: Democratic Republic of the Congo]</ref> | |||
===Testing Facilities=== | |||
===Support=== | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
The quality of gynecological care in the DRC varies greatly, depending on the economic means and geographic location of the patients. Below, we have provided a list of some of the medical facilities and ob/gyns available in Kinshasa, but some may be too expensive for some people. For more information on the options available in the DRC, we also recommend you check out this [http://mamacongo.blogspot.com/2014/05/kinshasa-faqs-doctors-hospitals-other.html blog post] on local health care. | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
====Medical Facilities==== | |||
* [https://cmk-cd.org/ Centre Medical Kinshasa]: This is the top and best equipped hospital in Kinshasa. It has various ob/gyns on staff, and it has Centre Privé d'Urgence (CPU) for emergencies. Phone: +243 890 274 713. Email: sec@cmk-cd.org | |||
* [http://www.cliniquediamant.com/ Centre Medical Diamant ("Canadian Clinic")]: This clinic has an ob/gyn department, and it can handle general appointments (no emergencies). They have modern equipment. English translation is available upon request. Reception: 0976000065 or 0817121555. Address: 3642, Suite 101, Future Tower, Boulevard du 30 Juin | |||
====Obstetricians/Gynecologists==== | |||
* Dr. Ana Bila: This female ob/gyn speaks English & French. Appointment necessary; office hours at Centre Medical Diamant. She was on the [https://cd.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ list] provided by the US Embassy (accessed March 2020). She has been practicing since 2009. Phone: +243 993 025 355 / +243 099 967 084. Address: 1 O.U.A, Kinshasa, Congo - Kinshasa. | |||
* Dr. Bavi: This male ob/gyn speaks Speaks French & some English. He operates from Boulevard Clinique Dentaire Caravella/admits to CHK. He was on the [https://cd.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ list] provided by the US Embassy (accessed March 2020). Phone: +243 999 921 321. Email: davidhroire@yahoo.fr. | |||
* Dr. Mbutuku: This doctor operates out of CMK & was on the [https://cd.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/doctors/ list] provided by the US Embassy (accessed March 2020). Phone: +243 998 844 404 / +243 818 844 404 | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In the DRC, abortion is generally prohibited. It is only legally permitted when the pregnancy endangers the life of the pregnant person. The abortion laws originally come from the 1867 Penal Code of Belgium, which were then incorporated into the Penal Code of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the nineteenth century.<ref name="ww_drc">[https://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/4985/abortion-law-congo Abortion law Congo]</ref> | |||
For information on abortion practices and issues in the DRC, you can check out the [https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/abortion-kinshasa Kinshasa 2018 factsheet from the Guttmacher Institute]. | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* According to Women on Waves, Misoprostol (one part of the abortion pill) is available under the brand name Cytotec. It's very expensive for most people in the DRC.<ref name="ww_drc" /> | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
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==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||
== | ==LGBTQ+ Resources== | ||
* Note: Homosexuality is legal in the DRC and it is legal to change gender. However, homosexual marriage is not legal and there is no legal protection against discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals, as of 2020.<ref>[https://www.equaldex.com/region/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Equaldex - Democratic Republic of Congo]</ref> | |||
* [https://www.equaldex.com/region/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Equaldex - Democratic Republic of Congo]: This website provides information on LGBTQ rights and laws in the DRC. | |||
* [https://www.lonelyplanet.com/democratic-republic-of-congo/practical-information/directory/lgbt-travellers/a/nar/25c0380f-97ad-41ba-8688-91a946a61f4e/355218 Lonely Planet: DRC LGBT Travellers]: This website provides information on travel in the DRC for LGBTQ+ travelers. | |||
== | ==Additional Resources== | ||
* [https://minisanterdc.cd/ Ministry of Health] | * [https://minisanterdc.cd/ Ministry of Health] | ||
* [https://www.who.int/countries/cod/en/ WHO - Democratic Republic of Congo] | * [https://www.who.int/countries/cod/en/ WHO - Democratic Republic of Congo] | ||
* [https://drc.unfpa.org/ UNFPA - Democratic Republic of Congo] | * [https://drc.unfpa.org/ UNFPA - Democratic Republic of Congo] | ||
* [https://www.mariestopes.org/where-we-work/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/ Marie Stopes DRC]: This international NGO focuses on women's health care access, and they may be able to provide some help or services to people in need. Address: Consession Safricas, Rue Sergent Moke n° 14, Quartier Socimat, Commune Ngaliema, Kinshasa. Phone: +243 82 899 72 25 | |||
* [https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/congo-dem-republic The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND)]: "The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) was founded in 1977, and since then it has worked tirelessly to drive changes which will secure a better future for the country. ABEF-ND offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and communication for young people. It offers HIV and AIDS prevention and management services, and community-based distribution of contraceptives. It also advocates strenuously around SRH issues with legislators and health professionals. As such, it’s central to shaping relevant national policies." | * [https://www.ippf.org/about-us/member-associations/congo-dem-republic The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND)]: "The Association de Bien-Etre Familial – Naissances Désirables (ABEF-ND) was founded in 1977, and since then it has worked tirelessly to drive changes which will secure a better future for the country. ABEF-ND offers sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, education and communication for young people. It offers HIV and AIDS prevention and management services, and community-based distribution of contraceptives. It also advocates strenuously around SRH issues with legislators and health professionals. As such, it’s central to shaping relevant national policies." | ||
* [https://www.womenforwomen.org/where-we-work/democratic-republic-congo Women for Women International - DRC]: "Since 2004, Women for Women International – Democratic Republic of the Congo has served more than 95,000 women through our yearlong program in eastern Congo's North and South Kivu provinces." | |||
* [http://www.familyplanning-drc.net/ Family Planning in the DRC] | * [http://www.familyplanning-drc.net/ Family Planning in the DRC] | ||
* [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Family Planning 2020 - Democratic Republic of Congo] | * [https://www.familyplanning2020.org/democratic-republic-of-the-congo Family Planning 2020 - Democratic Republic of Congo] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||