Strengthening Healthcare Delivery in the Democratic Republic of Congo through Adequate Nursing Workforce

Clinical journal of nursing care and practice Pub Date : 2024-02-19 DOI:10.29328/journal.cjncp.1001051

Shin Min Kyung, Tshimbombu Tshibambe N

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Abstract

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) grapples with a critical shortage of nurses, exacerbating disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. This mini-review examines the factors impacting the nursing workforce in the DRC and presents potential solutions to strengthen it. Decades-long regional conflicts have endangered the nursing workforce, resulting in an imbalanced distribution that disproportionately favors urban areas over rural regions. Inadequate healthcare funding, compounded by mismanagement, has led to resource scarcity and inequitable distribution, further hampering nursing efforts. Additionally, stagnant policy reforms and ineffective advocacy have hindered improvements in nurse employment, wages, education, and working conditions. Infrastructure deficiencies and medical supply shortages have also contributed to reduced incentives for nursing professionals. Therefore, we undertook a mini-review aimed at offering a succinct and targeted overview of nursing care in the DRC. This involved analyzing available literature and data concerning the nursing workforce with a particular focus on the DRC. We believe that addressing these interlinked challenges necessitates comprehensive strategies that prioritize establishing regional stability, responsibly allocating and increasing healthcare funding, incentivizing nurse recruitment and retention through policy adjustments, enhancing healthcare infrastructure and nursing education, and fostering both local and global collaboration. Investing in nursing is paramount for transforming healthcare delivery in the DRC, particularly considering nurses' pivotal roles in delivering preventive, therapeutic, and palliative care services. Strengthening nursing capacity and addressing systemic challenges are essential steps toward mitigating healthcare disparities and enhancing population health, aligning with the objectives outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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通过充足的护理人员队伍加强刚果民主共和国的医疗保健服务

刚果民主共和国（DRC）面临护士严重短缺的问题，这加剧了医疗服务和医疗结果的不均衡。本微型综述探讨了影响刚果民主共和国护士队伍的因素，并提出了加强护士队伍的潜在解决方案。长达数十年的地区冲突危及到了护理人员队伍，导致分配失衡，城市地区的护理人员不成比例地超过了农村地区。医疗资金不足，再加上管理不善，导致资源匮乏和分配不公，进一步阻碍了护理工作的开展。此外，政策改革停滞不前和宣传不力也阻碍了护士就业、工资、教育和工作条件的改善。基础设施不足和医疗供应短缺也导致护理专业人员的积极性降低。因此，我们撰写了一篇小型综述，旨在简明扼要、有针对性地概述刚果（金）的护理工作。这包括分析与护理人员队伍有关的现有文献和数据，并特别关注刚果民主共和国。我们认为，要应对这些相互关联的挑战，就必须制定全面的战略，优先考虑建立地区稳定、负责任地分配和增加医疗资金、通过政策调整激励护士招聘和留用、加强医疗基础设施和护理教育，以及促进当地和全球合作。对护理工作的投资对于刚果（金）医疗服务的转型至关重要，特别是考虑到护士在提供预防、治疗和姑息治疗服务方面的关键作用。加强护理能力和应对系统性挑战是缩小医疗差距和提高人口健康水平的关键步骤，符合联合国可持续发展目标中概述的各项目标。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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Clinical journal of nursing care and practice

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