• DRC, U.S. sign five-year health funding agreement
• Deal could unlock $900 million for disease programs
• DRC to contribute $300 million by 2030

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States have signed a five-year agreement that could unlock up to $900 million in U.S. investment, the DRC Ministry of Health said in a statement on Thursday, Feb. 26.

The funding will support programs to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. It will also strengthen maternal and child health services, improve national epidemiological surveillance, enhance preparedness and response to health emergencies, and reinforce the health system at all levels.

The agreement encourages partner countries to mobilize more domestic resources for their health priorities. Under its terms, the DRC is expected to contribute $300 million by 2030, or roughly 25% of the total budget.

Progress and ongoing challenges

In recent years, the DRC has made significant progress in its health system, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The country has expanded vaccination against childhood diseases and introduced the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization program.

On HIV, about 81% of people living with the virus know their status, 76% are receiving antiretroviral treatment, and 70% have achieved viral load suppression. This brings the country closer to the 95-95-95 targets set for 2025.

Despite these gains, the DRC still faces major challenges. Access to healthcare remains uneven, there is a shortage of medical personnel, and ongoing conflict in the east continues to damage infrastructure. These difficulties are compounded by frequent shortages of medicines and equipment.

The DRC is the 18th country to sign a health memorandum of understanding with the United States, joining Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.

Ingrid Haffiny