Tshibambe Nathanael Tshimbombu MED'24, served as lead, Geisel student author of two manuscripts bolstering health and healthcare in his home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which have been impacted by continuous military conflicts and political instability, as he points out.
Mr. Tshimbombu's first journal article, "Review of Epilepsy Care in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," was published on January 20, 2024, in Epilepsia Open, the open-access journal of The International League Against Epilepsy. Ten authors from the DRC, Canada, and the US contributed to the publication. Other Geisel authors included neurology professors Thomas Thesen, PhD, Barbara C. Jobst, MD, and Geisel medical student Dominique Fontaine MED'24.
Key points:
- The DRC lacks national epilepsy prevalence data and surveillance systems, leaving the healthcare system ill-equipped to address the intricacies of epilepsy care.
- Epilepsy care confronts deficiencies in culturally competent resources - and economic obstacles impede access to comprehensive care and evidence-based treatments.
- Traditional healers maintain a strong influence over patients with epilepsy and their families due to prevailing misconceptions about the disease.
- A collaborative, multifaceted approach is essential to enhance epilepsy care in the DRC through providing adequate resources, fostering supportive patients with epilepsy environments, and improving quality of life.
Mr. Tshimbombu and the authors intend to leverage these findings to plan the next steps for their Global Neurology Initiatives in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His second journal article, published on February 19, 2024, in the Clinical Journal of Nursing Care and Practice, is entitled "Strengthening Healthcare Delivery in the Democratic Republic of Congo through Adequate Nursing Workforce." As Mr. Tshimbombu highlights in the second publication, healthcare in the DRC faces many challenges due to war and political destabilization damaging the country's economy, infrastructure, and human capital.
Key recommendations:
- Establish regional stability.
- Increase and judiciously allocate healthcare funding.
- Reform policies to bolster and incentivize nursing.
- Invest in healthcare infrastructure and foster nursing capacity.
- Cultivate partnerships both locally and globally.
“I intend to deepen my existing collaborative research endeavors, focusing on supporting local initiatives in scientific publication within the DRC and ensuring the sustainability of forthcoming projects by leveraging local resources. Subsequently, I aim to work locally in the DRC to improve access to care and health outcomes, bolster the healthcare system, and contribute to informed policy decisions. Additionally, I aspire to serve as a liaison between local initiatives and international partnerships, facilitating effective communication and collaboration across borders,” shared Mr. Tshimbombu when asked about his plans.
The Center for Global Health Equity congratulates Mr. Tshimbombu on his insightful publications!
