Kinshasa – The burden of repeated outbreaks of infectious diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – such as Ebola, yellow fever and cholera – are major public health problems for the Congolese people and a threat to regional health security.

With a focus on prevention, Japan’s Ambassador to the DRC in collaboration with IOM, the UN Migration Agency, inaugurated a new health centre (30/01) built in Lufu, Kongo Central province on the border between DRC and Angola.

The structure – built with support from the Government of Japan for USD 525,000 – will enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Health to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemics and other public health emergencies in the border space. This achievement is

part of the support that the Government of Japan and IOM provide to the DRC in order to comply with the standards of the International Health Regulation (2005).

Indeed, the DRC shares more than 10,000 km of border with nine countries where large volumes of migration flows are observed, factors which contribute significantly to each country’s risk of cross-border transmission of disease.

In his address, Ambassador of Japan to the DRC Hiroshi Karube stressed the importance of 'strengthening the health system' at the 'border' level by referring to the recent outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera that have spread between DRC and Angola. With this in mind, Japan reiterated its commitment to supporting local initiatives supporting national efforts in the field of health.

"Japan remains a privileged partner of IOM, particularly on migration issues and dealing with health issues in border areas," said IOM DRC’s Mamadou Ngom.

A representative of the National Ministry of Public Health warmly thanked the Government of Japan for supporting the building of this health centre in the border area with Angola, which will contribute to the primary health of the people as well as to the fight against the spread of infectious diseases.

They also reminded those gathered that this first medical centre on the border aims to "ensure the application of the International Health Regulations but also the care of populations regardless of race and ethnicity."

In July 2016, the Government of Japan, through several institutions including IOM, extended emergency aid amounting to 3.5million US dollars for the DRC and Angola to fight against the yellow fever epidemic. This health centre reinforces Japan's commitment to the fight against the spread of transboundary infectious diseases.

For more information please contact IOM DRC, Aki Yoshino, Tel: +243 829 715 652, Email: ayoshino@iom.int or Mamadou Ngom, Tel: +243 815 087 980, Email: mngom@iom.int