The Provincial Minister of Health of Haut-Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo) announced that on World Vitiligo Day 2024, the DRC officially recognized vitiligo as a disease.
A victory for vitiligo in D.R. Congo
As we know, vitiligo is unfortunately too often a source of prejudice and stigmatization. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it was not uncommon for some beliefs to equate depigmentation with a fault, a sin or a curse. Huguette Kalenga Fabiola, President of the Franco-Congolese Vitiligo, shared situations where people with vitiligo faced discrimination. It is this observation, and the observation of what was being done in other countries such as France, that motivated her to create the AFCV at the end of 2021.
After having organised training on vitiligo for doctors (co-organised by the French Vitiligo Association, with the participation of Professor Julien Seneschal), and after several pleas for registration, the official recognition of vitiligo in the directory of diseases recognised by the Ministry of Health, the AFCV is proud to announce that it has accomplished one of its greatest battles: the official recognition of vitiligo as a disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
What will change for vitiligo in D.R. Congo?
Joseph Nsambi Bulanda, Provincial Minister of Health of Haut-Katanga, spoke on television, saying that this recognition will “improve health care and ensure access to early diagnosis, scientific research, adequate treatment for people with vitiligo”.
More specifically, the actions announced in his statement aim to:
- to set up a system for the surveillance and rapid detection of epidemics of dermatological diseases,
- plan for emergencies to respond quickly in the event of an outbreak,
- developing human resources in public health,
- set up psychological and social support services, to help people manage the emotional and social aspects of the disease,
- Raise awareness and educate, inform the public to avoid stigma and promote a better understanding of the disease.
This is the beginning of important new features to come… of which we will keep you informed of course.
For more news, click here
