The Democratic Republic of Congo faces ongoing health and human rights challenges due to civil unrest and armed conflict. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate is only about 21%, and the teen pregnancy rate is high. To engage young people on sexual health issues, DKT DRC created a youth program, Batela Lobi Na Yo (“Protect Your Future”) to inform young people of their contraceptive options.
DKT introduced its flagship product OK CONDOMS to the market in 2010. Since then, DKT has launched additional variants to promote responsible choices by associating condoms with both pleasure and protection. In addition to OK CONDOMS, DKT offers the Aleze brand of oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives and IUDs, as well as injectables, implants, misoprostol and, most recently, medical abortion combipacks. DKT’s Mifepack was the first registered combipack product in the market.
In 2011, DKT began an ambitious training program for nurses, doctors, pharmacists and community health workers. We have since trained health providers in every province of the country to provide family planning counseling. Although all contraceptive methods are covered, DKT places an emphasis on building capacity of clinicians to provide quality counseling and service delivery of long-term methods. Relatedly, DKT’s trainings are designed to enable pharmacists and community mobilizers to provide correct information regarding these methods to young people without judgement.
DKT works with public sector clinics for outreach and training. During outreach events, DKT partners with clinics, boosting their capacity to invite women from the community to receive counseling, education, and a contraceptive method of their choice. At community-based outreach events, DKT frequently covers costs related to insertion of implants and provides free medical supplies.
Over the years, DKT has expanded its operations to include Bas Congo, Bandundu, North Kivu, Equateur and Katanga provinces, and has extended its reach in Kinshasa.
