COVID-19 and ebola virus disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo: adolescent and young people sexual and reproductive health during public health emergency response

Abstract

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing major public health challenges due to series of outbreaks, notably the Ebola Virus disease (EVD). Like other countries of the world, the DRC is also challenged by the new coronavirus pandemic. The confluence of these major outbreaks of the Ebola virus disease and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected many interventions within the healthcare sector, consequently challenging the social and economic wellbeing of the people. In the past two and half decades, the DRC has made promising progress in adolescents and young peoples' sexual and reproductive health and rights, although they are limited and uneven. Like other African countries, the government of DRC has instituted measures to respond to these outbreaks, which have led to a shift of priorities in addressing the health challenges. The government diverted resources from their intended needs to curb or control the cases of Ebola virus disease and the COVID-19 pandemic, and this has affected the availability, accessibility and affordability of sexual and reproductive health care services for adolescents and young people. As the DRC decides how best to control the COVID-19 and EVD, it is important to reflect on lessons learned from past outbreaks. The DRC Government and other stakeholders must prioritize adolescents and young people' sexual and reproductive health needs by maintaining the provision and strengthening supply chains of reproductive health information and services during COVID-19 pandemic and EVD epidemic. This commentary provides the rationale and makes a call for greater investment and prioritization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents and young people during public health emergencies preparedness and response efforts. © Simon Binezero Mambo et al.