The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has called on provincial leaders to devote at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector. Health is a collective responsibility and a crucial objective for the future of the nation, a right for all, not a privilege.
The twelfth session of the Conference of Governors of the Democratic Republic of Congo, June 10-13, 2025, placed universal health coverage (UHC) at the heart of its discussions. President Félix Tshisekedi stressed the urgency of making UHC a major priority for all provinces. He called on provincial leaders to devote at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector, insisting that this is an essential step in guaranteeing all citizens access to quality healthcare. He encouraged governors to adapt their health strategies to the specific realities of each province, so that the benefits of CSU reach every population group.
Despite the wider challenges facing the country – not least political instability and conflict – the emphasis on universal health coverage was presented as a unifying factor as well as a foundation for social cohesion and sustainable development. President Tshisekedi’s message was clear: making health a right for all, not a privilege, is a collective responsibility and a crucial objective for the nation’s future.
