Title: The operationalization of the Public Health law in the DRC: a step towards Universal Health Coverage
Introduction :
From September 29 to 30, 2023, the Ministry of Health, Hygiene Prevention in the Democratic Republic of Congo organized an ambitious workshop aimed at the operationalization of law n°18/035 of December 13, 2018 setting the fundamental principles relating to organization of Public Health, modified and supplemented by Ordinance-Law No. 23/006 of March 3, 2023. This initiative marks a major step forward in the establishment of Universal Health Coverage in the country.
The objective of the workshop:
This workshop bringing together thirty experts, including directors and heads of departments of the ministry’s directorates and programs, aimed to identify the legal needs for the operationalization of the law, to raise participants’ awareness of the importance of enforcement measures. and define the services involved.
The process of implementing Universal Health Coverage:
The Minister of Health, Hygiene and Prevention stressed that the integration of the fundamental principles relating to the organization of Universal Health Coverage into the existing law is an essential step in the implementation of this system in the DRC. The minister recalled that Universal Health Coverage is one of the key promises of President Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and that its implementation is now irreversible.
The roadmap for developing enforcement measures:
The experts gathered at the workshop developed a roadmap for drafting and adopting the necessary implementing measures. This roadmap will guide the establishment of a technical commission responsible for execution, in order to accelerate the process of developing implementation measures.
Conclusion :
The organization of this workshop marks a key step in the implementation of the Public Health law in the DRC. The operationalization of this law is essential for the achievement of Universal Health Coverage, a priority of the Congolese government. Implementing concrete and effective enforcement measures will improve access to healthcare for all citizens and help strengthen the healthcare system as a whole. The DRC is thus on the path to guaranteeing quality public health for its entire population.