On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) participated in a ceremony alongside officials from the Ministry of Health to mark the awarding of accreditation certificates to two clinical laboratories in Kinshasa. The honored laboratories belong to the Mother and Child Center of Monkole, located in the commune of Mont-Ngafula, and HJ Hospital in the commune of Limété. This initiative is part of the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) program, which the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have supported since 2013.
The U.S. Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn highlighted the significance of this event, stating, “Today's awarding of certificates represents an important step in the DRC's journey to strengthen the quality of its laboratory network and, moreover, its capacity to provide reliable public health diagnostics.”
In the years following the launch of the program, six national auditors and representatives from 18 laboratories have undergone training to enhance laboratory management for accreditation. These efforts, spread over an 18-month period, involved follow-up audits and the drafting and implementation of improvement projects. Mentors have also provided their support throughout this process.
The U.S. government, via the CDC, continues to offer both technical and financial assistance to enhance public health systems in the DRC. The accreditation of the first clinical laboratories supported by CDC funds emphasizes this commitment to advancing health outcomes and preparing the country for future health challenges.
In addition, the U.S. provides various forms of support to the DRC's health sector, such as rapid HIV tests, medications for HIV patients, and comprehensive care and support services.
Ambassador Tamlyn expressed appreciation for the DRC Ministry of Health's efforts, stating, “We commend the Ministry of Health for its continued leadership in improving health systems in the DRC. The success achieved by these two laboratories today in the DRC is a testament to the importance of investing in workforce development and capacity building in public health and ensuring a safe and healthy future for all.”