Establishing Improved Access to Orthopaedic Care in a Conflict and Troubled Region in RDC Congo: Reflections on a Recent Orthopaedic Mission
Jan Noyez, MD1*
1Orthopaedic Department, AZ Delta Hospital, Roeselare, Belgium.
*Corresponding Author: Jan Noyez, MD, Orthopaedic Department, AZ Delta Hospital, Roeselare, Belgium.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOAOR.2026.06.012
Received: June 01, 2026
Published: June 23, 2026
Citation: Noyez J. Establishing Improved Access to Orthopaedic Care in a Conflict and Troubled Region in RDC Congo: Reflections on a Recent Orthopaedic Mission. SVOA Orthopaedics 2026, 6:3, 85-88. doi: 10.58624/SVOAOR.2026.06.012
Surgery is increasingly recognized as an essential component of primary health care [1]. In many low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) orthopaedic and trauma care is recognized as neglected. Five billion people around the world lack access to safe surgical care. The poorest 30 % of the world receives only 3 to 6 % of the operations whereas the richest 30% receives almost 75% of the operations [2]. This large gap in access to specialized care in LMICs leads to considerable morbidity and mortality [3].
Keywords: Orthopaedic care, Local engagement, Conflict region, Ebola outbreak