In-country activities
Switzerland contributes to the strengthening of the health system and the fight against malnutrition
On February 13, 2018, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched the fourth phase of its Health System Support Program (Programme d’Appui au Système de Santé, PASS) and the second phase of its Nutrition Program in South Kivu. These two programs are implemented synergistically in the health zone of Minova and benefit an estimated population of 250,000 people. The health zone of Minova is characterized by outbreaks of malaria and cholera cases, acute respiratory infections and chronic malnutrition.
Nutrition and health are fundamental rights and priority areas for the SDC in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi. This regional approach creates synergies and exchanges of experience and good practices between the countries of the region.
In line with the DRC's national Strategy for Health System Strengthening and the 2016-2020 National Health Development Plan, the Health System Support Program PASS began in 2008. It aims at sustainably reinforcing the performance and quality of the health system, as well as ensuring accessibility to health services in 8 health zones, including: Uvira, Ruzizi, Nyantende, Nyangezi, Kaziba, Minova, Mubumbano and Mwana. To achieve this goal, the PASS implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ International Services), supports the health system at the provincial level, the health zones as well as the communities. Since its implementation, the PASS has been actively involved in the reconstruction of the health system of the South Kivu Province, deeply marked by long years of conflict. It has thus helped to improve the quality of care for mothers and children, the construction and rehabilitation of health infrastructures, the provision of medical equipment, the supply of medicines, the development of community-based health insurance, etc. With the continuous support of the SDC in the three coming years (January 2018-December 2020), targeted health zone populations will have improved access to quality health care.
On the other hand, the SDC finances the Nutrition Program since 2015, which is an innovative “One UN” project, jointly implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) to combat chronic malnutrition in health zones of Bunyakiri and Minova in the South Kivu province.
For this second phase (October 2017-June 2020), the three UN agencies will pursue their efforts to reduce the prevalence of chronic malnutrition in children under five as well as to meet the nutritional needs of 12'000 pregnant and lactating women and 12 ' 000 children aged 6-23 months. During the first phase of this project (from 2015 to 2017) the nutritional status of 80% of children 0 to 23 months and pregnant and lactating women of targeted zones could be improved, through direct and multisectoral interventions in nutrition, food security, and access to water, hygiene and sanitation. The project aims to treat cases of malnutrition to prevent stunting of about 5,000 children aged 0 to 23 months and to provide assistance to about 5,600 pregnant and lactating women in need in the health zones of Bunyakiri and Minova. This integrated approach allows the three UN agencies to work in a complementary way and thus increase their impact on people with significant nutritional needs.
The Health System Support Program PASS and the Nutrition program are aligned with the DRC's national policies and strategies, the 2017-2020 Swiss Cooperation Strategy in the Great Lakes Region, the SDC's Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2
1 and SDG 3
2 ).
1 Eliminate hunger, ensure food security, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
2 Enabling everyone to live in good health and promote the well-being of all at all ages
For more information, contact:
Eustache Ndokabilya, Health Program Officer | eustache.ndokabilya-dunia@eda.admin.ch
Direction for Development and Cooperation SDC
Office of the Swiss Cooperation in the DRC, Bukavu
