The health sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is undergoing transformation with the establishment of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system. From September 29 to 30, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Hygiene Prevention organized a crucial workshop for the operationalization of the Public Health Law, modified and supplemented by Ordinance-Law No. 23/006 of March 3, 2023 .
This workshop brought together senior officials and legal experts from the ministry as well as experts in the health field. The main objective was to identify the legal needs necessary for the implementation of UHC and the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005 in the DRC. Participants were also made aware of the importance of taking enforcement measures related to UHC and health safety.
The Minister of Health, Hygiene and Prevention stressed that the modification of the health law was crucial to establish the CSU system in the DRC. He affirmed that this implementation was irreversible and constituted one of the main promises of the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
During the workshop, participants agreed on a roadmap for drafting and adopting enforcement measures. This roadmap includes the establishment of a technical commission responsible for overseeing this process.
This important step towards the implementation of UHC in the DRC demonstrates the country’s commitment to improving access to healthcare for all its citizens. UHC aims to ensure that everyone can benefit from quality health services without suffering financial hardship.
The next step will therefore be to develop and adopt the necessary implementation measures following the roadmap established during the workshop. The establishment of the technical commission is an essential step to accelerate this process and ensure successful implementation of UHC in the DRC.
It is encouraging to see the efforts made by the Congolese government to establish a solid health system accessible to all. CSU is an important step towards this vision, and it is now up to the stakeholders involved to work together to make this ambitious project a reality.