Global HIV/AIDS

Democratic Republic of Congo

HIV/AIDS in Democratic Republic of Congo

1.2-1.6% Estimated Prevalence
(Age 15–49)
26,000-40,000 Estimated Deaths (2009)
350,000-510,000 Estimated Orphans
34,967 Reported Number of People Receiving ART (2009)
170,000-240,000 Estimated Number of People Needing ART

SOURCE:
2010 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic, November 2010

HIV/AIDS Assets and Strategic Focus

Strategic Focus
CDC has had a long-standing partnership with the Democratic Republic of Congo Ministry of Health (DRC MoH) since 2002. Cross-cutting focus areas of the CDC DRC office include policy level changes in key technical areas; incorporating measures against gender-based violence to program areas; developing human resources for health; and public -private partnerships for HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Technical Assistance
CDC works directly with the MoH and other governmental entities as a trusted agency with evidence-based technical leadership and assistance to address the DRC’s HIV epidemic. CDC provides direct technical and financial assistance to support specific program areas including blood and injection safety, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), pediatrics and adults HIV/AIDS care and treatment, TB/HIV control, laboratory infrastructure, HIV surveillance, and HIV/AIDS data management systems.

Building Comprehensive and Integrated Service Delivery Systems
CDC provides technical leadership in developing comprehensive, evidence-based, family-centered treatment, care and support services. CDC’s activities align with the objectives of the Global Health Initiative framework and the DRC’s National Health Development Plan, which are geared toward sustainable health systems and health care services.

Notable Accomplishments

CDC is a key partner in DRC’s effort to scale up PMTCT interventions in high prevalence areas by training health workers, increasing counseling and testing capacity, and treatment services in antenatal clinics for pregnant women and their partners. Gender-based violence prevention is integrated to these activities.

Laboratory Capacity

CDC and the MoH developed the first national HIV reference laboratory for early infant diagnosis (EID).
CDC provides key technical support for the development of national HIV surveillance and laboratory systems.
CDC facilitated and funded the establishment of the first Regional Training Laboratory for Central Africa, through a public-private partnership.