Workshop on the operationalization of law n°18/035 of December 13, 2018 on public health in the DRC
From September 29 to 30, 2023, a workshop was held at the Ministry of Health, Hygiene and Prevention of the Democratic Republic of Congo aimed at the operationalization of law n°18/035 of December 13, 2018 on the organization of public health. This event brought together senior officials and lawyers from the ministry as well as experts from various health institutions.
The objective of this workshop was to identify the legal needs for the implementation of Universal Health Coverage and the International Health Regulations (IHR) in the DRC, in accordance with the modifications made to the 2018 law by Ordinance-Law no. °23/006 of March 3, 2023. Participants were also made aware of the link between universal health coverage and health security.
In his opening speech, the Minister of Health, Hygiene and Prevention stressed that the implementation of Universal Health Coverage in the DRC is a priority of the government and that the modifications made to the public health law demonstrate the commitment of the Head of State, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, in this area.
During this workshop, the experts were able to define a roadmap for the drafting and adoption of the implementing measures of Law No. 18/035 of December 13, 2018. This roadmap will accelerate the process to develop the measures necessary for the implementation of Universal Health Coverage in the DRC.
In the next steps, it is planned to set up a technical commission responsible for implementing the roadmap adopted during this workshop. This commission will have the mission of developing and adopting the implementing measures necessary to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the DRC.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the field of public health in the DRC, and demonstrates the Congolese government’s desire to guarantee access to care for all citizens. The implementation of Universal Health Coverage represents a major challenge, but also an opportunity to strengthen the country’s health system and improve the quality of life of the population.