DR Congo turns to local production to strengthen health sovereignty
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Beto
Congolese Health Minister Roger Kamba presented reforms to strengthen the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s health autonomy in Moscow. He highlighted domestic funding, compulsory health insurance, healthcare worker training and local medicine production at a panel held on 30 October, according to the Ministry of Health.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) wants to strengthen its health sovereignty by developing local medicine production, domestic health financing and compulsory health insurance, Public Health Minister Roger Kamba said in Moscow on Friday 30 October. During a panel on health sovereignty, he also presented the training of health workers, digital health and the development of medical skills as government priorities, according to the Ministry of Health.
Roger Kamba said the reforms should reduce DR Congo’s dependence on external resources and improve access to care. The government wants in particular to guarantee universal health coverage so that medical costs do not undermine patients’ financial situation, according to the Ministry of Health.
The minister also highlighted cooperation with the Russian Federation, particularly on skills transfer and the development of solutions adapted to Congolese needs. A five-year memorandum of understanding recently signed between the two countries covers nuclear medicine, scientific research, maternal and child health, and the digitisation of health services, according to Roger Kamba.
The presentation follows the preparation to extend compulsory health insurance, announced on 6 October 2026. It also comes amid Ebola outbreaks reported in DR Congo in October, including the spread of the Bundibugyo strain.
