The mortality rate of COVID-19 in the DRC is approximately 2.5%. A large proportion of the victims have comorbidities such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
To provide better support to high risk patients, the Ministry of Health has launched, with support from WHO and UNICEF, a major campaign to detect and manage these associated diseases for a period of three months (October-December 2020).
The programme was made possible thanks to funding from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the World Bank.
In a recent local study of 215 patients who died in Kinshasa, high blood pressure was found in 39% of cases, while diabetes was found in around 30%. Ignoring these coronavirus-related mortality risk factors exposes a significant number of victims of this pandemic to a high risk of premature death.
In addition to raising public awareness, the Ministry of Public Health, with support from WHO, is also targeting the most at-risk populations in the DCR 26 provinces. To strengthen prevention, free screening and therapeutic management of patients with diabetes or diseases related to high blood pressure in the context of COVID-19, WHO has provided more than 13 000 vials of insulin, 339 oxygen concentrators and other equipment including electronic blood pressure monitors and electrocardiographs to the Ministry of Health.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read the original story in French to learn about the support from ECHO and the World Bank
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19