DRC launches plan to eliminate HIV among children
Kinshasa, DRC (PANA) - As part of the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), President Félix Tshisekedi has just launched an initiative aimed at eliminating AIDS among Congolese children by 2030.
"Our country can no longer tolerate children being born and growing up with HIV, when tools exist to prevent, detect and effectively treat this infection," said President Tshisekedi, launching this initiative at the closing of the Conference of Governors in Kolwezi, in the province of Lualaba.
"The eradication of pediatric AIDS is a moral imperative, an imperative of social justice and an indicator of dignity," the DRC leader stressed in remarks reported by UNAIDS.
"The eradication of pediatric AIDS is a moral imperative, an imperative of social justice and an indicator of dignity," stressed Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi.
The initiative marks a renewed commitment by the country to address children's extremely limited access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
Children lagging behind
Indeed, while the DRC has made major progress in responding to HIV in recent years, children remain largely behind.
Approximately 91% of adults living with HIV are now receiving antiretroviral treatment, thanks to a collective effort involving government, civil society, communities, the private sector, and partners such as PEPFAR, the Global Fund, UNAIDS, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF).
However, among children, only 44% of those living with HIV have access to this lifesaving treatment. This rate has remained desperately low for more than a decade.
Every year, thousands of DRC children are still infected, often due to a lack of screening among pregnant women, depriving the health system of a crucial opportunity to prevent mother-to-child transmission and keep mothers alive.
This situation reflects several systemic weaknesses: limited access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for women, poor integration of HIV services into maternal and child care, a fragile supply chain of essential medicines, and insufficient coordination between public services and communities.
Four concrete priorities
The presidential initiative is intended to be a concrete and coordinated response to these challenges.
The five-year initiative, with initial funding of at least $18 million from national funds, aims to mobilise strong political leadership at all levels, particularly within provincial governorates.
Through this initiative, the DRC is committed to accelerating efforts in four priority areas:
- Improving early detection and treatment of HIV for children, adolescents and pregnant women
- Preventing new infections in children, adolescents and mothers
- Guarantee “systematic and immediate” treatment for those diagnosed
- Remove structural barriers that hinder adolescents' access to health services, particularly through respectful, adapted and inclusive approaches
Breath of fresh air
For UNAIDS, this initiative is a breath of fresh air in a context of increasing scarcity of development funding.
“At a time when development financing is experiencing turbulence and putting pressure on the systems that support the most vulnerable, President Félix Tshisekedi’s leadership in launching this initiative is a beacon of hope,” said Dr. Susan Kasedde, Director of the UNAIDS Office in the DRC. “UNAIDS fully supports this bold and inspiring program.”
With this initiative, the DRC aims to change the situation for an entire generation of children who have been left behind in the HIV response for too long.
"We are proclaiming a national commitment to guarantee every Congolese child the right to be born and grow up without the burden of HIV," said the DRC head of state. "We have the means to achieve this; above all, we have the duty to do so."
-0- PANA MA 17June2025
