Muscat: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has launched a bold new national initiative aimed at eliminating AIDS among children by 2030 – a move hailed by the United Nations as a beacon of hope amid growing global funding constraints. President Félix Tshisekedi emphasized the nation’s commitment to preventing, detecting, and treating HIV infections in children at a government conference in Lualaba province, marking the start of the five-year initiative.
According to African Press Organization, the Presidential Initiative to End Pediatric AIDS is backed by an initial commitment of $18 million in national funds. It focuses on political leadership, systems strengthening, and inclusive healthcare access, particularly for children, adolescents, and pregnant women. Despite DRC’s progress in adult HIV response, with 91 percent of adults with HIV accessing antiretroviral treatment, only 44 percent of children with HIV receive lifesaving treatment.
The initiative highlights four core priorities: improving early detection and treatment for children, adolescents, and pregnant women; preventing new infections; guaranteeing immediate treatment for those diagnosed; and removing structural barriers to healthcare access. Thousands of Congolese children are infected annually, often due to inadequate screening among pregnant women.
The UN Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) praised the initiative. Susan Kasedde, UNAIDS Country Director in the DRC, described it as a breath of fresh air at a time when global development financing faces challenges. Recent funding cuts threaten critical HIV services, with medication and condom stock potentially running out. Key areas such as antenatal testing and paediatric treatment have also felt the impact.