The Congolese government recently made a name for itself by signing a long-awaited decree. Indeed, this decree cancels the obligation of a Covid-19 PCR test for unvaccinated people leaving the country and also announces the lifting of the restrictive measures linked to this pandemic.
This decision was taken following numerous discussions between the Prime Minister and the multisectoral committee for the response to Covid-19. Since May 2023, they have been working together to consider modifying certain provisions relating to public freedoms contained in the decree on barrier measures.
While this news is generating a lot of interest and questions in public opinion, many questions are being asked about the management of the funds raised through the Covid-19 PCR tests. How much money has been generated since the start of this operation? What is this fund used for? How does it enter the coffers of the State?
The answer to these questions came from the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Dr. Serge Olene Obe A Nzem. During a press briefing, he said that his ministry was not competent to respond to these concerns and that it was up to the technical secretariat for the management of Covid-19 to give the figures and explain the management of the funds. generated by the PCR tests.
Despite these questions, the Deputy Minister of Public Health wanted to reassure the population by declaring that the measures would be lifted by the end of the week following the signing of a decree by Prime Minister Sama Lukonde.
He also highlighted the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) no longer considers Covid-19 a global health emergency and removed it from the list of public health problems. Consequently, the maintenance of restrictive measures and the obligation of a PCR test in the Democratic Republic of Congo can no longer be explained.
This decision by the Congolese government, although it may be seen as good news for some people, still raises debates and questions about its relevance and its implementation.
It now remains to be seen how this decision will be received by the population and what the consequences will be for the health situation in the country.