Eastern DRC: Support that strengthens continuity of diabetes care

Kindu - Héritier is 42 years old and an analyst by profession and father of four, lives in Kindu, Maniema province. Like many people living with diabetes in this part of central-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, he faces limited access to care due to the province's isolation and persistent tensions in the East. "There were times I thought my diabetes would eventually take me. Every day, I just try to hold on, even when it becomes difficult to manage my illness," he confides.

In this region, population displacements, disrupted trade routes, and shortages of medicines complicates the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

The DRC ranks third among countries with the highest number of adults (aged 20-79) living with diabetes in the region, with 2.9 million cases recorded in 2024. Provincial data from 2025 showed 2,380 people with diabetes in Maniema, including 325 registered in Kindu.

However, awareness campaigns and diagnostic guidance quickly revealed that the reality far exceeded these figures. Many patients, faced with rising drug costs or supply difficulties, resort to temporary solutions. Some interrupt their treatment, while others try to manage their condition with limited resources.

For Héritier, diagnosed in 2025, this situation meant great uncertainty, especially due to the lack of information and tools to regularly monitor his condition. This reality, shared by many patients in the province, highlights the fragility of the health system, which must adapt to local constraints.

It is in this context that the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with local structures, carried out targeted awareness and information campaigns to better inform people about diabetes and encourage prevention and early detection. These activities, conducted over several weeks and completed in February 2026, reached a wide audience in Kindu and surrounding areas.

As part of these campaigns, 1,456 people received kits containing glucometers, test strips, lancets, and alcohol swabs. Beyond distribution, these actions strengthened patients' knowledge about monitoring blood sugar, recognizing warning signs, and the importance of healthy eating and regular check-ups.

The activities also included community information sessions, promoting better understanding of the disease, recognition of risk factors, and adoption of healthy eating behaviors. Participants were encouraged to seek care when needed and adopt daily health-friendly practices such as: balanced diets (rich in fruits and vegetables, low in salt, sugar, and saturated fats), regular physical activity, adherence to medical advice and prescribed treatments, regular monitoring of health parameters (such as blood pressure or blood sugar), reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and maintaining good hygiene.

Initially planned for 2,380 people, the activities ultimately reached 3,562 beneficiaries. A large portion of them - nearly 90% of whom no longer regularly visited health facilities - were sensitized to the importance of regular monitoring and screening.
This momentum also relies on the commitment of community actors, particularly patient associations, which play a key role in disseminating essential and reliable information, raising awareness, and supporting communities. They help strengthen understanding of diabetes and reduce misconceptions about the disease.

Dr. Jean Luc Sukay, president of the Association of People Living with Diabetes in Maniema province, emphasizes: "These actions are essential to help communities and patients better understand the disease and adopt the right habits in daily life."

According to Dr. Raphaël Okum Ndita, WHO Field Coordinator in Maniema, "this intervention has strengthened community awareness and improved knowledge about diabetes, an essential element for preventing complications."

For Héritier, this support marked a turning point. His outlook changed, as did his way of living. Each day, he learns to pay attention to himself, listen to his body, and make the right choices for his health. And above all, where there was once uncertainty, there is now hope. "Today, I am better informed. It helps me pay attention every day and look to the future with more peace of mind," he shares with newfound confidence.