Profile and management of war casualties in the context of limited resources and conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: a retrospective observational study

These results show the delays in care, self-referral and mortality in war-injured patients in the context of limited resources and conflict. The results call for feasible interventions within a context of high violence such as that of the Democratic Republic of Congo, aiming at strengthening the health system and enhancing community-level capacities to improve the quality of life of war-wounded individuals in conflict zones. This study also shows that a robust health system can deliver an effective response to acute crises if it is equipped with sufficient technical capacity, well-trained staff, essential medicines, and strong organizational structures.