With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Kamanda Wa Kamanda

Desired by President Félix Tshisekedi, a small medical residential facility was created in Kinshasa for elderly persons. An initial response for a few privileged individuals who have universal medical coverage.

For Gilbert Tshibangu, a lecturer at the Higher Institute of Commerce in Kinshasa, it is a good start: "He is the first Head of State since independence who has expressed the will to offer his people universal health coverage. And we are providing him today with indicators for the feasibility of this coverage."

A drop in the bucket compared to the ministry's budget

In five weeks, 656 patients were seen at the medical residential facility and others are receiving outpatient care. Consultations and medical imaging are free. Total cost of current expenditures, nearly 32,000 dollars, a drop in the bucket compared to the budget allocated to the Ministry of Health. "726,741,510 dollars, that is the amount allocated to the Ministry of Health. And that represents 0.04% of the total amount", according to Gilbert Tshibangu.

For now, 40 people can benefit from this facility, supported financially only by two economic operators, including one manager of a mining company and another currently in construction.