Central African Republic

CAR also has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the Central African region. Antiretroviral coverage is low, and the disease is a leading cause of death among adults. MSF continues to expand access to treatment—including for patients with advanced HIV—and improve patient follow-up to ensure adherence to treatment by supporting Ministry of Health staff.

In addition, our teams respond to disease outbreaks and provide mental health support, basic health care, and specialist referrals. Malaria is one of the most common diseases we treat, and the deadliest, particularly for children under 5 years old. The general lack of prevention measures and treatment lead to high infection rates, particularly during the rainy season. In 2024, we scaled up malaria treatment activities in several districts where outbreaks were severe. This included chemoprevention in Batangafo and Bossangoa as a method for protecting infants under 1 year old.

During 2024, MSF teams launched emergency interventions to assist refugees from neighboring Sudan and Chad. These included general health care services and vaccination campaigns to contain measles and whooping cough outbreaks. In areas with high maternal death rates, MSF strengthened maternal health care services, ensuring pregnant women received essential prenatal care.

While most of our projects are in rural areas, we continue to work in the capital, Bangui, supporting trauma surgery, obstetric and neonatal care, advanced HIV and TB treatment, and comprehensive medical and psychological care for victims and survivors of sexual violence.