Location: Katanga Province 

Situation:

In south-east DRC, the huge Katanga province is divided in two: the cobalt belt in the south and the rural, agricultural area in the north. Tanganyika district, which borders the conflict areas, is a transition area where the health system remains extremely fragile. Cholera is endemic in lakeside areas and flourishes along the rivers and the communication routes.

Activities:
Doctors of the World (DOW) supports surveilance of epidemics (such as cholera), prevention and epidemic responses. Healthcare workers benefit from training and joint supervision. Health services are furnished with epidemiological surveillance tools and communication equipment (data collection, IT equipment, radios, etc.). In addition, cholera treatment centres are refurbished and therapeutic inputs are placed in outlying facilities, to improve immediate treatment for patients.
Results:
2,050 cholera cases were treated in Kalemie when the epidemic flared up in 2009.
Outlook:
Bolstered by partnerships built up over eight years with actors involved in tackling cholera, in 2010 DOW is developing a programme to support the health authorities in implementing a pilot project, at the district level, of the national cholera eradication policy.