Universal health coverage in the DRC: the World Bank reaffirms its commitment alongside the government
Last Thursday, the Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Roger Samuel Kamba, discussed with the representative of the World Bank in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Albert Zeufack, on universal health coverage (UHC) for Congolese. The two personalities discussed in depth the points that could enable the World Bank to provide support to the government in the area of health.
Free delivery care is already effective in twelve pilot provinces in the DRC thanks to funding from the World Bank through the Health System Development Project (PDSS). To continue this free service as well as the other programs financed by projects such as that of the PDSS which is coming to an end, the two personalities agreed on the need to reduce the mortality of mothers and children. Discussions also focused on future opportunities for collaboration in certain areas, including nutrition.
The World Bank representative, Albert Zeufack, said that after this technical exchange with the Minister of Public Health, the continuity of the discussion on a costed UHC strategy will be possible in the coming days in order to allow the World Bank to support the government with new instruments.
It should be noted that the government of Félix Tshisekedi has placed universal health coverage at the heart of its action plan for the improvement of the health system in the country. The support of the World Bank in achieving this ambition is therefore encouraging news for the DRC.
However, the improvement of the health system in the DRC will not only depend on the support of the World Bank, structural reforms will also be necessary to guarantee optimal use of the resources allocated to this essential sector for the development of the Congolese population.