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Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Priority 5
OPPORTUNITIES
Political momentum and health system transformation following DRC's renewed commitment to health priorities provides an opportunity to capitalize on government priorities and technical expertise to drive our shared objectives
Health
Key Stakeholders:
Minister of Health; INRB; Provincial Health Ministers; WHO Country Representative; UNICEF; CDC; Gavi Alliance Country Team; GPEI Country Team; DPS (Provincial Health Directions)
At the provincial level, this has enabled us to:
Support the development of the National Health Development Plan (PNDS) 2024-2033 and its extension
Influence the design of the health financing strategy and universal health coverage roadmap
Support the strengthening of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) which includes routine immunization, polio eradication, and new vaccine introductions
Collaborate on malaria control strategies including the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2025-2030
Support health emergency preparedness and response capacity building following health-related emergencies
Influence health workforce development and training programs through partnerships with universities and other learning institutions
Connect Government Health Team with other technical partners across the Foundation to foster collaborative learning
Support the ongoing development of health information systems and disease surveillance networks
Influence health infrastructure development and rehabilitation programs in partnership with donors
Polio Eradication
Key Stakeholders:
National Coordinator for Polio Eradication; WHO AFRO Polio Team; UNICEF Immunization Team; CDC Polio; Polio EOC; Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners; Provincial EPI Coordinators; DPS (Provincial Health Directions)
Following successful engagement with government stakeholders and GPEI partners:
We have aligned on shared priorities for polio eradication including surveillance strengthening, campaign quality improvement, and addressing immunity gaps in high-risk populations.
Strengthened laboratory capacity at INRB for poliovirus detection and characterization, supporting environmental surveillance expansion to key sites.
Enhanced cross-border coordination with neighboring countries to address virus importation and circulation in border areas.
Current Focus:
Supporting the government’s efforts to stop the spread of mutated vaccine-derived poliovirus and meet international standards for polio-free certification through stronger surveillance and high-quality immunization campaigns.
Malaria Control
Key Stakeholders:
National Malaria Control Programme; PNLP Team; Global Fund; Provincial Malaria Coordinators; PATH MACEPA; SANRU
Building on strong partnerships and shared commitment to malaria reduction:
Supporting the implementation of the National Malaria Strategic Plan with focus on high-burden provinces.
Strengthening malaria surveillance systems and data quality improvement initiatives for evidence-based decision making.
Expanding community case management programs and improving access to quality malaria services in remote areas.
Supporting seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) implementation in eligible regions and evaluating impact on childhood mortality.
Innovation Opportunity:
Leveraging new tools and technologies including next-generation ITNs, improved diagnostics, and digital health solutions for malaria elimination efforts.
Routine Immunization
Key Stakeholders:
EPI National; Gavi Alliance; WHO Immunization; UNICEF Supply Division; VillageReach DRC; Provincial EPI Managers; Health Zone Supervisors; DPS (Provincial Health Directions)
Capitalizing on renewed government commitment to immunization:
Supporting the Multi-Year Plan (cMYP) 2024-2033 implementation with focus on reaching missed communities and improving equity in immunization coverage.
Strengthening cold chain infrastructure through solar-powered solutions and improved maintenance systems across health zones.
Implementing innovative delivery strategies including mobile vaccination teams and community-based approaches for hard-to-reach populations.
Supporting new vaccine introductions and strengthening service integration with other health interventions.
Systems Strengthening:
Building sustainable immunization systems that can support both routine vaccination and emergency response capacity for outbreak prevention and control.
Geospatial Systems & Data Infrastructure
Key Stakeholders:
Ministry of Digital Affairs; National Institute of Statistics (INS); University of Kinshasa - Geography Department; ANICNS; Provincial Planning Offices; OCHA DRC; WHO GIS Unit (GIS AFRO); GRID3; Bluesquare; DSNIS; CHAI
Capitalizing on geospatial transformation opportunities for health system strengthening:
Development of curriculum and institutionalization at accredited institutions:
Establishing geospatial health programs at universities and other institutions to build sustainable in-country capacity for health data analysis and decision making.
Geospatial System Strengthening Support (Subnational):
Building provincial and health zone capacity for geospatial data collection, analysis, and use in health program planning and implementation.
Piloting the National Geospatial Data Infrastructure (ANICNS):
Supporting the development of a coordinated national framework for geospatial data sharing and interoperability across health and other sectors.
Enable In-Country geospatial capabilities:
Procuring and deploying geospatial hardware and software systems at national and subnational levels with technical capacity building for sustainable operations.
Integrated Health-Geospatial Data Systems:
Developing interoperable platforms that combine health data with geospatial information for real-time disease surveillance and program monitoring.
Cross-Border Geospatial Coordination:
Establishing shared geospatial surveillance systems with neighboring countries for coordinated health emergency response and disease elimination efforts.
Strategic Innovation Opportunity:
DRC's commitment to digital transformation and the establishment of ANICNS provides a unique opportunity to integrate health priorities into national geospatial infrastructure development, creating sustainable systems for evidence-based health decision making across all levels of government.