Kasai: the Government launches the iron supplementation programme in schools in Tshikapa

Tshikapa, March 17^th, 2026 (CPA). – The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has officially launched, on Monday, a campaign to provide iron and folic acid supplements in schools across the Kasai 1 educational province, in the centre of the country, with a view to combat anaemia among adolescents, the provincial coordinator of the National Adolescent Health Programme has explained on Tuesday during an interview. “The adolescent girls and young people in Kasai face serious health problems, particularly anaemia caused by iron deficiency. Nearly four in ten adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years suffer from it, which can compromise their sexual health, academic success and future. In response to this situation, the National Adolescent Health Programme (PNSA) and the National Nutrition Programme (PRONANUT) are launching an urgent intervention consisting of iron and folic acid supplementation for all adolescent girls aged 10 to 19, whether they are in school or not,” has declared Anny Badiadia, provincial coordinator of the National Adolescent Health Programme (PNSA). Welcoming the initiative before officially launching this iron and folic acid supplementation campaign at Disanka High School in the municipality of Dibumba 1, Virginie Alembe, provincial director of National Education and New Citizenship, has explained that this campaign covers schools in three sub-divisions that make up the three health zones targeted for this first phase. “Anaemia is a danger to school-age girls and can lead to fatigue, reduced concentration and affects the growth and development of adolescent girls,” she has added. Furthermore, the iron and folic acid supplementation campaign for schoolchildren will take place in schools, whilst for out-of-school children; it will be carried out in youth centres. This initiative forms part of the universal health coverage programme championed by the Head of State and is in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which aims to reduce the prevalence of anaemia and improve reproductive health. ACP/