Health

Before you leave

• See your doctor or an international vaccination centre well before departure.

  Practical advice·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, health

• Depending on conditions and length of stay: hepatitis A, typhoid, hepatitis B, meningitis ACWY in the dry season or during an outbreak, tuberculosis for children. Your doctor will decide.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Malaria is present throughout the country. Protect against bites and take preventive treatment prescribed by a doctor; any fever requires prompt medical attention.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, healthCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Yellow fever: the international vaccination certificate is required on entry for all travellers aged 9 months or older. The CDC recommends this vaccine for all travellers aged 9 months or older. Rules change: check them before departure and talk to a doctor or an international vaccination centre.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Malaria: according to the CDC, it is present throughout the country. The CDC recommends prescription preventive medicine for travellers to these areas: talk to a doctor before departure, and protect yourself from mosquito bites.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Democratic Republic of the Congo

Risks on the ground

• An Ebola outbreak, declared a public health emergency of international concern, affects several provinces (Ituri, North Kivu, Haut-Uélé, Tshopo, South Kivu, Bas-Uélé, Sud-Ubangi). Do not handle or eat bushmeat, wash your hands often and seek care immediately for any fever up to three weeks after leaving the area.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, latest news and alerts

• Several countries have introduced border and airport measures for people coming from the DRC; Uganda has temporarily closed its border. Check before travelling on to another country.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, latest news and alertsGOV.UK (FCDO), Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice: entry requirements

Insurance and care

• Insurance covering care, hospitalisation and repatriation is essential. Public hospitals are very run-down and often lack medicines.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, healthSPF Affaires étrangères (Belgium), Democratic Republic of the Congo: practical information
• Kinshasa residents

  In Kinshasa, the Private Emergency Centre (CPU) works on subscription; France advises French residents to join, which also eases medical evacuation.

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  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful contacts

Emergency numbers

• There is no central medical emergency number: call a hospital directly for an ambulance. In Kinshasa, fire 118 and police 112 according to the UK.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Centre médical de Kinshasa (CMK)

  Private medical and surgical clinic, referring doctor of the French embassy.

  168 avenue Wagenia et rue du Commerce, Kinshasa+243 89 89 50 300+243 810 516 565

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Centre privé d'urgence (CPU)

  Emergency department of the CMK, by subscription; the best equipped in the city.

  Rue du Commerce (locaux du CMK), Kinshasa+243 89 89 50 302

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Clinique du Dr Lelo

  Private clinic.

  15 avenue Kasaï, Barumbu, Kinshasa+243 99 82 45 339+243 99 97 62 900

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026

• Centre médical de Monkole

  Medical centre run by a French NGO.

  4804 avenue Ngafani, Mont Ngafula, Kinshasa

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Democratic Republic of the Congo, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026