The operationalization of the public health law in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the subject of discussions and workshops initiated by the Ministry of Health, Hygiene and Prevention. These meetings, which took place from September 29 to 30, 2023, brought together experts and lawyers to identify the legal needs for the implementation of this essential law.
Law No. 18/035 of December 13, 2018, establishing the fundamental principles relating to the organization of Public Health, was modified and supplemented by Ordinance-Law No. 23/006 of March 3, 2023. These legal texts are the basis of the Universal Health Coverage system and the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) in the DRC.
During this workshop, senior officials and lawyers from the Ministry of Health worked together to identify the measures necessary for the operationalization of this law. They also highlighted the importance of taking into account the link between universal health coverage and health security.
In his speech, the Minister of Health, Hygiene and Prevention affirmed that the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage system in the DRC was irreversible. This represents one of the key promises of Head of State Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
The experts present agreed on a roadmap for the drafting and adoption of measures to implement the public health law. This roadmap provides for the establishment of a technical commission responsible for implementing these measures.
These next steps will accelerate the development and adoption of the necessary enforcement measures for the effective implementation of the public health law in the DRC.
This workshop therefore marks a significant step forward in the achievement of Universal Health Coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It demonstrates the government’s commitment to guaranteeing access to health care for all citizens. Thus, the operationalization of the public health law will contribute to improving the country’s health system and ensuring better health protection for the Congolese population.