The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is rich in natural resources but remains one of the world’s poorest countries, which severely limits its ability to improve its health care system. The health sector in the DRC faces challenges with management, procurement of medical supplies, and budgeting. This has led to staff misallocation, unpaid wages, and under-resourced offices. These issues have made it harder for people to access health care and have lowered the quality of services. Ensuring sustainable health financing is a primary goal to advance universal health coverage (UHC).
Our Approach
The Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS) in the DRC collaborates with the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare (MSPHPS) and other government stakeholders to advance long-term health systems sustainability planning and advocacy.
In FY25, the LHSS DRC Activity aimed to bolster the MSPHPS by enhancing its capacity to advocate for better human resource management within the health system. LHSS also seeks to strengthen the Directorate of Human Resources (DRH) strategic plan within the MSPHPS. To achieve these goals, LHSS focused on the following objectives:
- Strengthen the advocacy capacity of the MSPHPS/DRH for improved governance of healthcare workers
- Strengthen the DRH mandate and governance mechanisms for improved management of human resources for health in the DRC
Progress Highlights
- LHSS conducted a health financing landscape analysis, identifying gaps and opportunities in the mobilization, pooling, and purchasing of health services. The analysis also covered the status of public finance management to strengthen health governance and financing in the DRC.
- In collaboration with the Kinshasa School of Public Health, LHSS assessed the technical, administrative, and financial feasibility of implementing a flat-rate pricing policy in the DRC. Findings from this assessment informed recommendations for establishing a national financial protection approach within DRC’s universal health coverage framework.
- LHSS completed an assessment of the institutional, organizational, and technical capacity of the Ministry of Health’s Financial Directorate using a capacity self-assessment tool. Assessment findings informed the creation of a roadmap to strengthen the Directorate’s capacities in the assessment areas.
