TITLE:
Level of Integration of Health Services of the Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Lubumbashi in Health Zones
AUTHORS:
Gaspard Kafyeke Kabala, Pascal Pambi Mukanga, Temple Kabamba Manzanza, Irene Kabwang Nacikomb, Jacqueline Tshisola Mbaka, Scholastique Mutoke Sangwa, Bora Kaumba, Bienfait Mwarabu Much’Apa, Simon Ilunga Kandolo, Ghislain Mashini Ngongo
KEYWORDS:
Integration, Health Zone, Archdiocese, Lubumbashi, Likasi, Health Service
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.10,
October
24,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The private health sector plays an important role in the health system in the Democratic Republic of Congo; however, its proliferation does not guarantee the quality of the service. The Ministry of Public Health is concerned with reinvesting its role in cleaning up the medical and health sector. It also has an interest in supervising and integrating the lucrative and non-profit private sector into the country’s health system to avoid the “Public Sector - Private Sector” compartmentalization. Patients who are treated in health structures belong to the state and the State has the right to review what happens in these different health structures to avoid anarchy, hence the importance of integration. The objective of our study is to take stock of the level of integration of the health services of the Catholic Church within the health zones of the Archdiocese of Lubumbashi in the city of Likasi and that of Lubumbashi, determine the framework for analyzing the level of integration of health facilities into the local health system. Methods: This is a multiple case study in the Archdiocese of Lubumbashi concerning Catholic health facilities in the city of Likasi and Lubumbashi from December 2021 to October 2023. The multiple case study allowed us to assess the level integration in health zones, by studying 40 Catholic health services, the Ministry of Health (health zones, Provincial Health Division: DPS, Provincial Health Inspectorate: IPS and Diocesan Office of Medical Works: BDOM). 31 people were interviewed at the Ministry of Health and BDOM. Results: The level of normative integration in general is average; it is 0.60% or 60%. As for the level of functional integration, it is generally high, 0.80% or 80%. The level of integration of clinical teams is generally high, 0.77% or 77%. That of integration of care is generally very high, 0.99% or 99%. As for the level of systemic integration, it is generally average, 0.41% or 41%. Conclusion: Catholic Health Training is integrated into the local health system, firstly the integration of care, followed by functional integration, integration of clinical teams, normative integration and finally systemic integration.