DR Congo Unveils Multi — Year Plan (2026-2028) to Bolster Public Health Campaigns.
In Lubumbashi, Haut — Katanga, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has unveiled a comprehensive multi-year plan (2026-2028) aimed at enhancing the performance of public health campaigns. This strategic initiative, a result of an intensive atelier held from April 27 to 29, 2026, is a pivotal step towards addressing the country’s persistent health challenges, particularly infectious diseases.
The plan, developed under the coordination of the Secretary General to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ilonga Bompoko, involves the integration of various health programs and departments, including the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), and National Nutrition Programme (PRONANUT).
The event brought together key stakeholders from the health sector and was supported by technical and financial partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Gavi, and the Gates Foundation.
The DRC’s health system has long faced challenges such as underinvestment, social and economic realities, and environmental conditions.
The country has grappled with prevalent diseases like malaria, lower respiratory infections, and diarrheal diseases, despite gradual epidemiological transitions.
The plan seeks to improve the coverage of critical interventions such as vaccinations and malaria prevention, enhance the efficiency of health services, and strengthen healthcare worker capacity.
The Lubumbashi atelier marked an important milestone, facilitating strategic alignment and the sharing of best practices. Dr. Franck Mboussou, the focal point for the Promotion of Health and Population Disease Prevention program at WHO in the DRC, highlighted the operational and programmatic benefits of integrated health campaigns, emphasizing the need for collaborative action and political commitment at the highest level.
A digital platform, DIGIT HCM, developed by the eGOV Foundation with support from the Gates Foundation, was also showcased. This solution is designed to bolster data and information management for integrated health campaigns, supporting more effective planning and evidence-based decision-making.
The multi — year plan identifies 33 integrated health campaigns, covering a range of interventions from vaccinations to the distribution of antimalarial drugs and the diagnosis of malnutrition.
The plan’s success hinges on factors such as government and partner commitment, the effectiveness of interventions, and community engagement.
As the DRC embarks on this ambitious plan, continuous monitoring and adjustments will be crucial to ensure its success.
The initiative is expected to make substantial progress in combating infectious diseases and improving the health of the population, aligning with broader health systems improvements across East Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: World Health Organization
