Kinshasa, DRC — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has sounded the alarm over the potential exclusion of North Kivu province from the Global Fund’s malaria funding cycle, warning of a catastrophic impact on the region’s health system amidst an ongoing Ebola epidemic. North Kivu, predominantly controlled by the M23 armed group, faces a dual threat of malaria and Ebola. MSF has reported that the province, which has been a leading hotspot for malaria cases, risks losing essential funding for disease prevention and treatment, exacerbating an already dire situation.
The Global Fund’s eighth round of grants, covering the period from 2027 to 2029, is currently in its application phase, with deadlines approaching.
However, North Kivu’s exclusion from the funding priorities could leave the province without the means to combat malaria, a disease that remains a leading cause of morbidity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). MSF’s program manager, Stéphane Doyon, has emphasized the urgency of maintaining funding for malaria control in North Kivu, stating that the lack of access to prevention measures, diagnosis, and basic treatments is unacceptable in 2026.
The situation is further complicated by the Ebola outbreak, which has seen nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and over 700 deaths as of July 2026.
The similarity between the early symptoms of malaria and Ebola can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, placing an immense strain on the already overburdened health care systems. MSF has noted that the exclusion from funding would not only worsen the health crisis but could also lead to a resurgence of malaria in the province.
The organization has called on the Global Fund to reconsider its decision, highlighting the critical importance of continued support for North Kivu’s health needs.
The complexity of the security situation in North Kivu, with its volatile environment and the establishment of parallel administrations, adds to the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations in providing adequate healthcare and support to the population.
The exclusion from the Global Fund’s malaria funding cycle underscores the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Médecins Sans Frontières
