#Vitamin Angels #child nutrition #Kinshasa #Democratic Republic of Congo

Vitamin Angels' Support for Child Nutrition in the DRC

In a significant effort to combat malnutrition among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Vitamin Angels has partnered with the government and various health organizations to enhance nutrition programs across the nation. On August 5, 2026, at a workshop led by the Ministry of Public Health, participants reviewed a comprehensive landscape analysis that aims to improve vitamin A supplementation and deworming initiatives for children.

This landscape analysis, developed in cooperation with the National Nutrition Program (PRONANUT), represents a crucial assessment of the DRC's current health interventions regarding child nutrition. By examining existing policies, national coverage statistics, field research, and stakeholder insights, this collaborative study identifies concrete recommendations aimed at enhancing routine service delivery and increasing equitable access to vital nutritional interventions for children throughout the DRC.

Dr. Mulamba Diese, the Country Director for Vitamin Angels in the DRC, emphasized the importance of evidence-based strategies for health system improvement. “Strong health systems are built on strong evidence,” he stated, reflecting Vitamin Angels' commitment to providing valuable data that can guide local governments and organizations in their public health efforts. The collaboration has produced a comprehensive understanding of effective practices in child health, identifying gaps in service delivery and suggesting pathways for increasing access to nutrition care.

Malnutrition remains a pressing issue in the DRC, contributing to an alarming 45% of deaths among children under five years of age. Vitamin A supplementation proves to be one of the most effective measures for child survival, significantly reducing mortality rates and protecting vulnerable children from severe illnesses like measles and diarrhea. In 2025 alone, Vitamin Angels successfully provided vitamin A supplements to over 13 million children across the DRC.

Despite successful nutrition campaigns, the analysis revealed that the current healthcare delivery model relies significantly on foreign funding and temporary initiatives, underscoring the need for a more integrated approach within the primary healthcare framework. The key recommendations from the landscape analysis include:
1. Integration of Services: Incorporate vitamin A supplementation and deworming into existing programs such as routine immunizations and child health services.
2. Strengthening Supply Chains: Improve coordination within supply chains to ensure medication availability and prevent supply shortages at health facilities.
3. Enhancing Data Utilization: Utilize the District Health Information Software (DHIS2) consistently to improve data accuracy and inform decision-making processes.
4. Community Engagement: Increase local engagement efforts to boost community awareness and demand for nutrition services.
5. Boosting Domestic Funding: Encourage greater domestic investment to ensure the long-term sustainability of these essential programs.

The landscape analysis encompasses program performance assessments from 2018 to 2025, combining quantitative data with input from 77 stakeholders across multiple provincial and community levels. These findings are vital for shaping future policies, strategic plans, and implementation efforts focused on child nutrition in the DRC.

Dr. Bruno Bindamba, Director of PRONANUT, acknowledged the value of the collaborative effort, stating that this assessment equips them with the necessary evidence to bolster their vitamin A supplementation and deworming services across the nation. By adhering to the recommendations, the DRC aims to increase access to life-saving nutritional interventions for every child.

Vitamin Angels remains committed to partnering with governments globally, emphasizing the necessity of strong health systems founded on evidence and the integration of sustainable nutrition solutions. Through these collaborative efforts, they aspire to create ongoing access to essential nutrition services that reach the most vulnerable women and children over the long term.

About Vitamin Angels

Founded in 1994, Vitamin Angels is a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the nutrition and health of underserved women and children worldwide. By working alongside a network of partners that includes government entities, Vitamin Angels aims to amplify the impact of nutrition initiatives for pregnant women, infants, and young children residing in low-resource settings. Their initiatives span across 65 countries, including all 50 states in the U.S., positively impacting approximately 74 million women and children each year. For more details, visit vitaminangels.org.