In 2017, on the eighth day of February, the activities of Launching the Health Knowledge Center in the Congo (CCSC) were organized at the Sultani Hotel, in the city of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This framework welcomed 40 personalities. The Ministers of Health and Research honored with their presence this ceremony.
After the welcoming address to the participants, delivered by the National Secretary of the RIPSEC Program (SN_RIPSEC), Professor Albert Mwembo Tambwe announced the agenda of activities organized around three themes: the academic session, the report on the Implementation of the CSCC and the launch of the CSC.
Madam Director of ESP-UNILU, Professor Françoise Malonga Kaj, in her capacity as Chair of the Strategic Committee / RIPSEC, made her address by circumscribing the SACC’s missions, as well as its expectations. She also asked that all the parties present, the various stakeholders in the health field, support the CSC. Then it was relayed by Professor Bart Criel (from IMT Antwerp in Belgium), Senior promoter of the RIPSEC program. The latter has circumscribed and presented the RIPSEC program, of which the CCSC is an emanation. He stressed that the RIPSEC program has three specific objectives:
1) Developing the CCC;
2) Strengthen the scientific capacity of three Congolese public health schools involved;
3) Develop three Learning and Research Health Zones.
Dr. Alain Iyeti, Director of Studies and Planning, Ministry of Public Health, summarized the governance and decision-making process in the health sector.
Professor Abel Ntambue Mukengeshayi of ESP-UNILU then restituted the initial investigations into the mapping of research centers in the DRC in preparation for the establishment of the CCC.
Finally, Professor Patrick Kolsteren of the University of Gent in Belgium made a communication focusing on HTA networks and the production of evidence in health. He stressed that the role of the SACC is to provide rational, relevant and independent advice in the health decision-making process.
Addressing the implementation of the CSCC, National Secretary RIPSEC outlined the steps that the Knowledge Center has taken to date. It was supplemented by Prof. Jeff Kabinda, an expert at the CSCC who presented the achievements of the CSC between July and December 2016. In turn, Professor Pascal Lutumba, Director of the CSCC, presented the perspectives of this new center.
The National Minister of Health / DRC launched the CSCC after a pathetic and encouraging speech on expectations, the government’s vision and the functioning of the CSCC. He praised and encouraged and expressed the support of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Center of Health Knowledge in the Congo.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the CCCB Headquarters by the National Minister of Public Health of the DRC
Excellencies, the National Ministers of Health and Research and the National Secretary of RIPSEC at the CCSC Headquarters during the ribbon cutting ceremony at the SCCC
From left to right: Prof. Pascal Lutumba (CCCS Director), Prof. Albert MwemboTambwe (RIPSEC SN), Dr Mukengeshayi (SG at the Ministry of Health), Prof. Mambu (Minister of Health of the Central Kongo) National Research Minister, Excellency the National Minister of Health (Dr OlyIlunga Kalenga), Prof. Françoise MalongaKaj (Chair of the RIPSEC Strategic Committee) and Prof. Bart Criel (Principal Promoter of RIPSEC)
Closing photo of the CSCC launch workshop at the Sultani Hotel, Kinshasa 2017
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