A STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE TO STRENGTHEN HEALTHCARE SERVICES

On June 11, 2024, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, officially inaugurated the Lualaba Modern Clinic in Kolwezi, the capital of the mining province of Lualaba. The ceremony brought together provincial authorities, health officials, and numerous guests, marking a major step in strengthening the local health system.

A tertiary-level hospital complex

Named the Lualaba Modern Clinic, this facility is a tertiary-level hospital with 200 beds and extensive technical facilities, designed to meet international standards. Its objective is to improve access to specialized care, reduce medical evacuations to Kinshasa or abroad, and strengthen local management of complex illnesses. Affiliated with the Mwangeji General Referral Hospital, the clinic is part of the provincial strategy to modernize the healthcare system.

An achievement championed by the governor

The project is largely attributed to the vision of Fifi Masuka Saini, who made healthcare a priority during her term. Construction began on July 4, 2022, with the laying of the foundation stone for a modern, two-story building covering approximately 1,400 square meters and comprising 98 rooms for medical and administrative services. Ultimately, the hospital will be structured into 11 specialized units, including an emergency department, a modern maternity ward, fully equipped operating rooms, a pediatrics department, an intensive care unit, and a morgue.

A health dynamic already underway

The Lualaba Modern Clinic is part of a series of healthcare investments in the province. In March 2023, another modern hospital was inaugurated in Dilala, expanding healthcare services in the region. With this new facility, Kolwezi aims to become a leading medical center in southern DRC, offering residents access to specialized treatments without having to travel to other provinces or abroad.

A national vision for health

During the ceremony, Dr. Roger Samuel Kamba, Minister of Public Health, highlighted the persistent challenges: high mortality, limited access to quality care, and a lack of reliable diagnostics and appropriate equipment. He commended the ongoing structural transformation: “The Congolese health system is being rebuilt, faster and more robustly than it has been in over half a century. What is happening in Kolwezi is not an isolated event, but an illustration of the national dynamic of modernizing the sector.” The Minister also emphasized President Tshisekedi’s humanist vision, which places public health at the heart of his actions, and congratulated Governor Fifi Masuka Saini for her commitment and that of her team to the realization of this ambitious project.