Mortality, Violence and Lack of Access to Healthcare in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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Abstract
The people of the Democratic Republic of Congo for decades have been living in a situation of chronic crisis. Violence, population displacement and the destruction of infrastructure and health services have devastated the health of the population. In 2001, Médicins Sans Frontières conducted a survey in five areas of western and central DRC to assess mortality, access to health‐care, vaccination coverage and exposure to violence. High mortality rates were found in front‐line zones, mainly due to malnutrition and infectious diseases. In Basankusu approximately 10 per cent of the total population and 25 per cent of the under‐five population had perished in the year before the survey. Humanitarian needs remain acute across the country, particularly near the front line. Infectious‐disease control and treatment are a priority, as is increasing access to health‐care. Humanitarian assistance must be increased considerably, especially in rural areas and zones that have been affected directly by conflict.

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