DRC: doctors urged to leverage digital legislation to protect public health

Kinshasa, April 7^th, 2026 (ACP) – Health professionals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been urged to make use of existing digital legislation to help protect public health through telemedicine, according to a statement consulted on Tuesday by CPA. “Digital technology now offers several advantages. Healthcare personnel can rely on the digital legislation in force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to improve the healthcare system and save lives. This is made possible through measures such as remote consultations or medical assistance provided by experts via digital tools. All these contribute to strengthening our healthcare system through digital solutions,” the statement read, signed by Me Charline Asifiwe of the Legal Clinic for Health Law. According to her, laws governing digital systems, particularly those protecting online data, enable healthcare professionals to enhance their services through teleconsultation, especially for elderly people who may require remote assistance before reaching hospitals for physical consultations. Furthermore, the head of the legal clinic called on the Congolese government to ensure proper regulation of telemedicine by adopting laws that mandate the use of certified telemedicine tools and enforce authentication mechanisms to safeguard medical confidentiality during remote consultations. In addition, Lowyer Asifiwe noted that the involvement of healthcare workers in this approach could provide multiple benefits to the national health system, including improved prevention, early diagnosis of potentially life-threatening diseases, and better management of chronic conditions outside hospital settings. However, the Legal Clinic for Health Law also cautioned against excessive use of digital technologies, noting that it may have less visible impacts on mental health, including attention disorders, stress and depression.