Kinshasa, June 12th, 2021 (CPA).- The Minister in charge of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Dr Jean-Jacques Mbungani, during the closing ceremony of the “Revue Après Action” (RAA) workshop of 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th epidemics of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the DRC, praised the relevant work of scientists to assess and identify future responses to epidemics.
These four-day meetings, from June 7th to 10th, aimed to assess and strengthen the capacities of the DRC in terms of preparation, detection and response to future epidemics of EVD.
The Minister of Public Health, at the end of the workshop, honored the contribution and commitment of the participants for their effort and contribution to this work.
“This review process made it possible to document the strengths and those for improvement as well as the reasons why these events occurred in the DRC. Your relevant work has also helped define and take corrective and immediate short- and long-term actions for future responses, ”argued Dr Mbungani.
According to the Minister in charge of Public Health, the results of this review could help the government to lay the foundations for optimal management of the various future public health events in the DRC. Hence the importance of further developing multifaceted and effective strategies, through the establishment of governance structures, the operationalization of an emergency development operation center, of a standardized operating procedure manual. ,the provision of appropriate infrastructure, as well as the capacity building of national and decentralized actors.
It is in this context of strengthening health systems for preparedness and response to health emergencies through continuous learning and improvement, and taking into account the requirements of the international health regulations (RSI / 2005), that the ministry of the DRC’s Health Department conducted an “After Action Review” (RAA) of responses to the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Ebola epidemics which affected the provinces of Equateur, Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.
« We are committed together to implement the priority actions of the government whose two priority axes are based on the implementation of Universal Health Coverage and the fight against epidemics and major pandemics », insisted Dr. Mbungani.
Note that this workshop brought together doctors, central directors, the Secretary General for Health, Hygiene and Prevention as well as partners and international donors from the Ministry of Public Health. ACP/