La gériatrie en RD Congo – un défi ?

Le progrès de la médecine a permis d’augmenter significativement l’espérance de vie dans le monde et cela a permis de découvrir davantage des problèmes spécifiques liés au vieillissement de la population. Cette population qui a travaillé hier, qui est décadente aujourd’hui mérite le soutien de ceux qui restent en activité. Au Canada, aux USA, en Europe et en Asie, l’enseignement et les structures gériatriques se sont considérablement développées et font partie des priorités en matière de santé publique. En Afrique, le développement des structures gériatriques reste fort limité. Qu’en est-il de la situation spécifique du Congo ? Dans cette communication nous rappelons certains concepts gériatriques, présentons l’organisation du programme de soins pour le patient gériatrique en Europe (cas de la Belgique) et ouvrons la discussion sur les réalités au Congo.

Improvements in medicine have not only led to the increase in life expectancy but they have also allowed observations of many other problems related to aging. Seniors have worked hard their whole lives for the benefit of those who are working today and need a special care and support considering the decline in their quality of life. Over the years, the teaching of geriatric care was developed in many countries such as Canada, USA, Europe and Asia and it is considered there as a priority amongst Public Health policies. Many countries have included geriatrics in medical faculties at universities and schools. However, in Africa, geriatric teaching is poorly progressing and doesn’t even exist in many other countries yet. But what about DR Congo?
In this presentation, we provide a brief overview of some geriatric concepts and we aim to explain how the healthcare system is organized in Europe (particularly in Belgium) and, while taking into account Congolese realities, we will attempt to discuss the plans which can be put into place regarding this topic in the Democratic Republic of Congo.