In a context of increased awareness of the fight against tuberculosis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the latest official data reveals an increase in cases, reaching a total of 260,431 cases of tuberculosis reported in 2023, including 4,352 deaths. These alarming figures highlight the need to strengthen prevention and treatment measures for this infectious disease.
Dr. Serge Emmanuel Hollen, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, stressed the importance of taking rapid and effective measures to fight tuberculosis. He recalled that this disease is curable and that the necessary drugs are available free of charge in all treatment centers in the DRC, including for cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
This year’s national theme, “Yes, together we can defeat tuberculosis in the DRC”, reaffirms the Congolese government’s commitment to combating this epidemic. Increased investments and rapid implementation of the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) are planned to eradicate tuberculosis throughout the national territory.
Emphasizing the need to achieve the objectives of the WHO “End Tuberculosis” strategy by 2035, Dr. Serge Emmanuel Hollen underlined the importance of Universal Health Coverage, commitments international organizations and citizen participation to eliminate tuberculosis in the DRC.
Ministry data indicates that certain provinces, including Kinshasa, Kasaï Oriental, Haut-Katanga, Kwilu, Kasaï and Lomami, are more affected by tuberculosis in the DRC. Faced with these figures, the government is calling on the population to consult a health center in the event of persistent symptoms, such as a cough, in order to detect the disease and begin appropriate treatment.
Together, by adopting a proactive and collective approach, it is possible to end the devastating impact of tuberculosis in the DRC and guarantee better health for all.