Fatshimetrie, July 28, 2024 – A major initiative was launched in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, aimed at strengthening capacities related to the construction of the National Social Vulnerability Index (INVS), as part of the protocol for the pooling of efforts in favor of universal health coverage (CSU).
This workshop, led by Ms. Alice Mirimo, Director General of the National Fund for Promotion and Social Service (FNPSS), aims to train experts to facilitate access to health services for vulnerable groups and people in need. The ultimate goal is to make the DRC INVS a key government tool for identifying vulnerability and related indicators, in order to better target beneficiaries of social programs and improve their access to basic services.
By focusing on key areas such as health, education, housing, nutrition, water and electricity, the INVS will provide the Congolese government with a solid foundation to foster social inclusion and ensure equitable access to essential services. It will also contribute to the implementation of more effective social standards and policies, as well as universal health coverage.
The workshop also includes training on Bayesian statistics, provided by Professor Sylvain Munyanga. Bayesian statistics offer a qualitative approach to estimating the probabilities of an event based on specific evidence and interactions. This subjective approach relies on the expertise of the professionals involved, and will be crucial for the construction of the INVS by accurately identifying categories of vulnerable people.
Experts participating in this workshop will have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice and exchange ideas over three days. Subsequently, the index will be tested in Kinshasa, then extended to two pilot provinces before being implemented on a larger scale. This multi-stakeholder collaboration for universal health coverage, formalized by a protocol signed in 2023, demonstrates the commitment of the various stakeholders to improve access to basic social services.
In conclusion, this capacity building program promises to play a crucial role in the fight against social vulnerability in the DRC. Thanks to the establishment of the INVS and the adoption of Bayesian statistics, the country is on the right track to guarantee more equitable and inclusive universal health coverage for all its citizens.