Digital Health Hopes in the DRC

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has faced numerous health crises, including Ebola, COVID-19, and Mpox. These events exposed the weaknesses of the country's public health system, particularly in Africa. To address this, the One Health approach and its digital extension, One Digital Health (ODH), with the FAIR principles, offer a framework for a digital health transition in the DRC.

The One Health approach brings together human, animal, and environmental health sectors to prevent and respond to health emergencies. However, its digital extension, ODH, requires a different set of conditions to be successful. This study aimed to explore how stakeholders in the DRC perceive and experience digital tool integration and data interoperability. It also looked at the structural, institutional, and technical constraints affecting cross-sectoral data sharing.

In Kinshasa, the capital city of the DRC, the study found that stakeholders face significant challenges in integrating digital tools and sharing data across sectors. The study identified the sociotechnical conditions required for the operationalization of ODH in a fragmented digital health context. These conditions include the ability to find, access, and reuse data, as well as the need for institutional and technical support.

The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing the structural and institutional barriers to ODH in the DRC. By doing so, the country can better prepare for and respond to health emergencies, ultimately improving the health and well-being of its citizens.