Support to Polio Eradication in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This project aims to contribute to the eradication of polio in the Democratic Republic of Congo by reinforcing the capacity of the epidemiological surveillance system in order to better detect polio cases and to respond quickly to these cases. The project works in seven out of the DRC eleven provinces where the surveillance capacity is the weakest in relation to the number of existing cases. A better performing surveillance system strengthens the collection and management of polio data and supports immunization activities. Surveillance also covers other vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles yellow fever and neonatal tetanus which will contribute to a reduction in mortality and morbidity linked with these diseases. By reducing the mortality rate associated with these diseases the project contributes to the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 4 related to the reduction in child mortality.

Among the intermediate results expected from this project are: 1) an improved epidemiological surveillance system to detect any new cases of polio and to confirm the cessation of the circulation of this virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.