Status of the epidemic
The first AIDS cases were declared in DRC in 1983 at the Mama Yemo hospital in Kinshasa. Since then, the disease has been on the increase and continues to wreak havoc, especially among the active population. The war situation that has prevailed in the country since August 1998 has only caused the disease to expand further, and its socioeconomic impact is weighing even more heavily on individuals, families and the Congolese community as a whole. DRC is experiencing a generalised epidemic. According to the latest UNAIDS Report, the prevalence rate among adults aged between 15 and 49 is 4.9%. These data are to be viewed with caution on account of the difficulty to have a proper diagnosis, of the unwillingness of the population to go for screening and of the inaccessibility of several regions of the country. It is estimated that one million people are living with AIDS, including 120 000 children.
The national strategy
From 1987 to 2004, the fight against HIV/AIDS was under the responsibility of the Ministry of Health through BCC/SIDA and PNLS. Since 1999, DRC has developed a National Strategic Plan against AIDS and STI covering a 9-year period, which has been adopted by all the partners. It has very clear objectives and focuses on the mobilisation of communities and specific groups, improved access to preventive care by HIVP and infected people, on handling, support to the sick, and on capacity building for all the players involved in the fight against AIDS. Since March 2004, this fight, which is intended to comprise several sectors, has been placed under the high authority of the Head of State.
The three strategic axes are:
1. prevention by reducing risk of blood, sexual and vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS;
2. improvement of the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS;
3. mitigation of HIV/AIDS socioeconomic impact on vulnerable groups.
The private sector
The Comité Interentreprises de Lutte contre le VIH/SIDA (CIELS) was created in 2001. Its main objective is to reduce HIV/AIDS impact on the activities of companies by:
- strengthening prevention activities with employers, employees clients, suppliers and neighbouring communities;
- improving the quality of life of infected employers and employees affected by HIV/AIDS;
- ensuring that HIV/AIDS information is disseminated particularly in aspects relevant to the workplace;
- sensitising other companies so that they get committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
CIELS now comprises 20 companies in Kinshasa, 15 in Lubumbashi and 14 in Bukavu. Further information is available at www.ciels.cd
Contact:
Dr. Kintenge C. Lubandi, medical coordinator BRALIMA and President of CIELS
SIDA-ENTREPRISES member companies in DRC are
Ascoma
BGI
Bolloré
CFAP
Gras Savoye
OPTORG
SOGEA-SATON
TOTAL
Available documentation
Latest update: August 2006
