The importance of operationalizing the public health law in the Democratic Republic of Congo
From September 29 to 30, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Hygiene Prevention of the Democratic Republic of Congo organized a crucial workshop for the operationalization of the country’s public health law. This law, which sets the fundamental principles relating to the organization of Public Health, was recently modified and supplemented in order to establish the Universal Health Coverage system and to comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005.
This workshop brought together around thirty experts, including directors and heads of services from the different directorates and programs of the Ministry of Health, Hygiene and Prevention. The main objective of these meetings was to identify the legal needs for the operationalization of public health texts, to raise participants’ awareness of the importance of taking implementing measures linking universal health coverage to health security, and to identify the services involved in the implementation of these measures.
The Minister of Health, Hygiene and Prevention highlighted in his speech the irreversibility of the process of implementing the Universal Health Coverage system in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also praised the work accomplished during this workshop, resulting in the production of a list of identified implementation measures and the definition of next steps.
In the coming stages, a technical commission will be set up to execute the roadmap adopted during this workshop. Its role will be to accelerate the development and adoption of the implementing measures necessary to implement the public health law and establish the Universal Health Coverage system in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The operationalization of this law is of major importance for the country. By establishing a Universal Health Coverage system, the Democratic Republic of Congo is committed to guaranteeing equitable access to health services for all citizens. This will improve disease prevention and treatment, strengthen epidemiological surveillance systems and guarantee the country’s health security.
In conclusion, the workshop on the operationalization of the public health law in the Democratic Republic of Congo constitutes a crucial step in the establishment of the Universal Health Coverage system. Thanks to the involvement of experts and the adoption of a road map, the country is progressing towards the realization of this important reform, which will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the Congolese population.