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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Health & Science

Nearly 400,000 Doses of Antimalarials Expire in Lodja Warehouse Amidst Distribution Woes

From Radio Okapi · (5d ago) French Critical tone

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Approximately 400,000 doses of antimalarial drugs expired in a regional distribution center in Lodja, Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • The medications, received in November 2024, were never distributed before their expiration date.
  • An investigation is expected from Kinshasa to determine the circumstances surrounding the loss of the strategic stock, with potential implications from a US decree on foreign aid.

A staggering loss of nearly 400,000 doses of antimalarial medication has occurred at the regional drug distribution center (CDR) in Lodja, located in the Sankuru province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. These vital medicines, received in November 2024, have expired without ever reaching the patients who desperately need them, sparking outrage and calls for a thorough investigation.

The situation s’est aggravée lorsque CHEMONICS, l’organisation Internationale chargée de l’expédition, a instruit le CDR de ne distribuer aucun médicament, en application d’un décret du président américain suspendant l’aide étrangère et humanitaire.

— Radio OkapiExplaining the role of CHEMONICS and a US decree in the drug distribution delay.

Sources indicate that a mission from Kinshasa is anticipated to examine the reasons behind the failure to distribute this critical stock. The provincial health division's chief medical officer revealed that the batches were placed under quarantine upon arrival in November 2024, awaiting authorization for use. For five months, these life-saving drugs remained inaccessible.

The situation was reportedly exacerbated by instructions from CHEMONICS, the international organization responsible for shipping, to withhold distribution. This directive was allegedly in response to a decree by then-US President Donald Trump suspending foreign and humanitarian aid. The suspension was only lifted in October 2025, nearly a year after the drugs were stored and just as they were nearing their expiration date.

The interim territorial administrator calls for an investigation to establish responsibilities in this 'serious dysfunction.'

— Radio OkapiReporting the call for an inquiry into the expired medication incident.

Local authorities, including the interim territorial administrator, are demanding an inquiry to establish accountability for this "serious dysfunction." The president of the Sankuru Revolutionary Civil Society, Anyeme Djonga, denounced this as "unacceptable negligence" in an area where malaria remains a leading cause of mortality. This incident highlights the critical vulnerabilities in the supply chain for essential medicines and the devastating impact of bureaucratic delays and political decisions on public health in the region.

unacceptable negligence

— Anyeme DjongaDescribing the situation regarding the expired antimalarial drugs.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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