In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Indian businessman Harish Jagtani opened a clinic in Kinshasa on March 26, 2023. At the moment, we can accommodate 300 people a day. “, explains its founder. Report in this structure which intends to deliver free care to the poorest.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Pascal Mulegwa
In the DRC, a clinic opened its doors on Sunday March 26, 2023 to provide free care to indigents and other vulnerable people in the capital Kinshasa, a megalopolis which has one of the highest death rates on the continent from diseases. tropical (infectious).
In a country where three-quarters of the population is plunged into poverty, few households are able to cover healthcare. In an attempt to provide poor people with more chances of living, the HJ Foundation, named after an Indian businessman, Harish Jagtani, is piloting a clinic for free care.
” I set up this structure, so that it would be 100% free »
The courtyard of this clinic spans hundreds of square meters near the city center. “It is by giving that we receive”: the motto is inscribed on a banner behind the master of the place, Harish Jagtani.
” I have a hospital called HJ hospitalsays the person concerned. I saw that there are many patients who cannot get medical care because of the lack of means. That’s how I set up this structure, so that it would be 100% free. For the moment, we can accommodate 300 people per day. The Congo has given me a lot and it’s time to give back. »
The clinic offers different types of care. ” There is a prosthetic service available, continues Harish Jagtani. We have the dialysis service. Normally, it costs about 150 US dollars per session ; it’s too expensive. There, it will be free. We have also set up the ophthalmology service, we are going to give free treatments. »
Patient eligibility verified for certain procedures
No need to pay for treatment. But for some acts, surveys are required to verify that the patient is poor. “ People in difficult situations, we track them directlyexplains Gaétan Malu, the operations manager for the clinic. After 10 or 15 minutes, the person has the result. If she tests positive, we take care of the drugs. But for appropriate care such as dialysis or eye surgery, we have a team that does an investigation, normally. We can’t take care of the rich .»
In addition to subsidies from its initiator, the clinic benefits from donations from certain non-governmental organizations and some private establishments for its operation.
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