Digitalisation and Medical Practice in Urban Republic of the Congo: A Short Report

The integration of digital technologies into healthcare is a global trend, but its adoption and impact within urban medical practice in the Republic of the Congo remain poorly documented. This short report aims to describe the key trends, perceived benefits, and significant challenges associated with the adoption of digital tools in urban Congolese medical practice. This is a narrative synthesis based on a review of available institutional reports, published local studies, and documented professional experiences. It does not present new empirical data. A prominent trend is the rapid, though uneven, adoption of mobile health (mHealth) for patient communication and reminders. A principal challenge is the persistent digital divide, with many smaller private clinics reporting limited access to reliable internet as a major barrier to implementing electronic medical records. Digitalisation is progressing in urban Congolese medicine and offers potential improvements in healthcare delivery. However, its advancement is constrained by infrastructural limitations and unequal access, which risk exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities. Future efforts should prioritise investment in robust digital infrastructure and affordable connectivity. Targeted training programmes for healthcare professionals and the development of context-appropriate, low-bandwidth digital solutions are also essential. digital health, medical practice, urban health, Republic of the Congo, mHealth, digital divide This report provides a focused overview of the digitalisation landscape in urban Congolese medicine, synthesising current knowledge to inform policymakers and healthcare practitioners.