Kinshasa, July 28th, 2025 (CPA). – The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo reiterates its commitment to the fight against viral hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day, celebrated on 28 July each year, the CPA learned on Monday from official sources. ‘Viral hepatitis is a major public health scourge. We must take concerted action to limit its impact on the population,’ said Dr. Roger Kamba, Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare.
The minister stressed the crucial importance of combating these silent infections that affect a large number of Congolese, calling for a ‘collective awakening’ and a structured and sustainable commitment at all levels of society, before praising the commitment of the President of the Republic, Felix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, who has integrated this fight into the framework of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Minister Kamba referred to a personal episode of hepatitis in the 1980s to illustrate the importance of early screening and treatment.
Among the measures announced on this occasion are: the implementation of a health solidarity tax on imported products, excluding basic foodstuffs, with a view to improving access to hepatitis medicines and vaccines; the adoption of a tripartite measure between the government, employers and workers, consisting of allocating a percentage of salaries to health solidarity; the launch, at the end of August, of the first funding bases for the CSU, with a focus on screening and treatment for viral hepatitis. ‘We want every patient to have access to care without breaking the bank. We will increase the availability of medicines, train providers and improve test interpretation,’ added the Minister of Health. Dr Kamba also expressed his gratitude to technical partners, community actors and Dr Chamala for their commitment to this health fight. The commemorative events for World Hepatitis Day were officially opened by the minister, who reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing the incidence of this disease and improving the life expectancy of the Congolese population.