MESP, the EPST ministry's health insurance scheme for teachers and their families

On Friday, April 7, 2023, the entire world celebrated World Health Day under the theme "Health for All," and the World Health Organization (WHO) will mark its 75th anniversary under the theme "75 Years of Improving Public Health."

With this in mind, the Congolese government is working tirelessly to implement the strategic plan for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The EPST Teachers’ Health Mutual Aid Society (MESP) is a key component of this government policy. This entity of the Ministry of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education (EPST), established by Ministerial Decree No. 027/CAB/MINETAT/MTEPS/01/2019, is governed by Legal Status No. 042/CAB/MIN/JGSDH/2015 of the Ministry of Justice and the Keeper of the Seals. Its financial resources consist of member contributions and government subsidies. Its mission is to provide medical coverage for health services for affiliated teachers by guaranteeing the reimbursement of related costs under agreements established with accredited hospitals through strategic procurement of healthcare services in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health.   As of December 31, 2019, the MESP already had 122,547 beneficiaries in its three operational provinces, namely: Kinshasa, Équateur, and Haut-Katanga. Across the MESP’s three provincial entities, a total of 225,333 medical episodes were recorded in 2019 (rate of service utilization by members): Kinshasa 195,862, Haut Katanga 23,447, and Mbandaka 6,024. Nodriche Kasaï