The D R Congo (DRC) faces one of the most complex health landscapes in Africa. In 2026, the country continues to grapple with outbreaks of infectious diseases, weak health infrastructure, and humanitarian pressures that affect millions of people across its vast territory. While there have been important victories against deadly diseases, major challenges remain that require sustained national and international action.
Ending Ebola — A Hard‑Won Victory
In late 2025, health authorities in the DRC officially declared the end of the 16th Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, which was first reported in September 2025 in Kasai Province. Through a coordinated response involving the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, the outbreak — which affected dozens and caused multiple deaths — was contained after rigorous surveillance and treatment efforts.
This achievement underscores both the country’s experience with Ebola management and the importance of swift, organized responses in rural and hard‑to‑reach areas. However, health authorities and aid organizations have stressed that ongoing community‑level surveillance and stronger infection control systems are essential to prevent future flare‑ups.
Cholera: The Worst Outbreak in Decades
Despite progress with Ebola, the DRC is confronting a devastating cholera epidemic — now described by UNICEF as the worst the country has seen in 25 years. As of late 2025, tens of thousands of cases and nearly two thousand deaths have been recorded, with children making up a substantial share of those affected.
Cholera thrives where access to clean water and sanitation is limited. In the DRC, less than half the population has basic water services, and just a fraction has access to proper sanitation. This makes prevention difficult, especially in urban slums and rural communities where infrastructure and hygiene services are poor.
The scale of the cholera crisis also highlights the broader failure of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems, especially during flooding, displacement, and conflict, which disrupt basic services. Breaking the cycle of cholera will require far more investment in clean water infrastructure and hygiene education — long‑term solutions that go beyond emergency response.
Structural Health System Weaknesses
Even between outbreaks, the DRC’s healthcare system remains fragile — particularly in conflict‑affected regions like North and South Kivu. Many hospitals and clinics lack medicines, equipment, and qualified staff, and violence against health facilities has forced humanitarian organizations to halt services in some areas.
According to WHO and humanitarian partners, less than half of people in crisis‑affected areas receive even basic emergency health assistance, and vaccination coverage and disease surveillance are limited. These gaps leave the population vulnerable not only to cholera and Ebola, but also to diseases like measles, Mpox, polio and malaria.
Additional challenges include:
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Shortage of qualified health workers
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Inconsistent medical supplies
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High maternal and neonatal mortality
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Limited mental health and HIV services
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No reliable patient referral or evacuation systems
Community Mobilization and Disease Elimination Efforts
Despite systemic challenges, community‑based initiatives have shown promise in tackling neglected diseases. For example, local volunteers and health workers in regions like Businga are actively involved in surveillance and education campaigns against Guinea‑worm disease (dracunculiasis) — working to protect communities by identifying cases early and promoting clean water practices.
Such grassroots mobilization illustrates the important role that community health volunteers and local awareness play in improving outcomes, particularly where formal health infrastructure is limited.
What’s Next for DRC’s Health Landscape
The DRC stands at a critical moment: big public health victories like ending Ebola show what can be achieved, but devastating outbreaks like cholera and persistent system weaknesses underscore the immense work still required.
Sustained efforts are needed on several fronts:
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Strengthening health systems and training more medical personnel
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Expanding access to clean water and sanitation
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Improving disease surveillance and vaccination coverage
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Protecting healthcare services in conflict zones
Achieving these goals will depend on strong government leadership, investment from global health partners, and continued community engagement.