Kinshasa, November 12th, 2026 (CPA).-Equitable access to medical oxygen to save lives in the face of pneumonia and hypoxemia (an abnormally low level of oxygen in the blood) was at the center of a scientific meeting held Thursday in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to jointly commemorate the 18th World Pneumonia Day and the 4th World Oxygen Day.
“Your participation in this ceremony reflects the importance you collectively attach to the fight against respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia, as well as to improving access to medical oxygen in our country,” said Dr. Jean-Fidèle Ilunga, Director of the National Program for the Control of Acute Respiratory Infections (PNIRA) and Chairman of the Medical Oxygen Working Group (GTOM). According to him, pneumonia remains a major public health concern, particularly affecting children under five and elderly people.
“One fundamental aspect of pneumonia management deserves particular attention: access to medical oxygen. It is not merely a piece of equipment or one technical tool among many others, but a life-saving element in the treatment of patients suffering from respiratory distress or severe hypoxemia,” he stressed, pointing out that for a child suffering from severe pneumonia, the prompt administration of oxygen combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy can save their life. Despite the efforts made by the Congolese government with the support of its technical and financial partners, major challenges remain. These include strengthening prevention and treatment, improving screening, increasing the availability of medical oxygen and enhancing the skills of healthcare workers.“In this regard, the National Program for the Control of Acute Respiratory Infections and the Medical Oxygen Working Group reaffirm their commitment to stepping up the implementation of interventions aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory infections,” Dr. Ilunga assured. In view of the high infant mortality rate, with acute respiratory infections being among its leading causes in the DRC and worldwide, the country will have to multiply its efforts more than fivefold if it is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of reducing under-five mortality to fewer than 25 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.
According to 2024 statistics cited by the PNIRA Director, Sankuru Province recorded the highest pneumonia-related mortality rate in the country, followed by Kasai and Kasai-Central provinces. The importance of medical oxygen and environmental factors Speaking during the panel discussion, Dr. Wivine Mwembwerecalled the crucial role of oxygen therapy in treating the disease. She noted that child deaths are exacerbated by environmental factors, particularly indoor air pollution caused by the use of charcoal, as well as weaknesses in the healthcare system, a shortage of qualified healthcare providers and interruptions in antibiotic supplies. Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection affecting the lungs, particularly the pulmonary alveoli responsible for gas exchange. It is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Organized by the PNIRA, the commemoration was supported by the EpiC project, funded by the United States Department of State and implemented by FHI 360 in the DRC.