Statements and Webcast
Democratic Republic of the Congo
H. E. Mr. Victor Makwenge Kaput, Minister of Health
9 June 2011
- Statement: French (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
VICTOR MAKWENGE KAPUT, Minister for Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that from the emergence of the terrible pandemic in 1981, his country had remained open to assisting in the world’s response. Although the Government had made progress in supporting individuals living with HIV and protecting the uninfected, it continued to face many challenges. Indeed, HIV prevalence stood at 3.7 per cent for pregnant women and 3 per cent for the general population, he said.
The epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was characterized by feminization, he continued, adding that HIV also disproportionately affected youth, with infections particularly concentrated along the Congo River. Today, 1.2 million citizens were infected, with women accounting for roughly 71,000 new infections each year. He further noted that the Government was paying particular attention to mother-to-child transmission, among other areas of focus. Underlining his country’s commitment to working towards the global vision of zero infections, he appealed for support for its efforts to curb the spread of HIV.
Source: GA/11090