# Kinshasa School of Public Health

The Kinshasa School of Public Health (French: École de Santé Publique [ESP] de Kinshasa) is a postgraduate medical school training of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Kinshasa. Specializing in public health education, research, and community service, the school is located in the Lemba commune of Kinshasa. Established on 28 August 1984, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and a consortium of American universities led by Tulane University, the institution was founded to address the country's need for trained public health professionals.

## History

The establishment of the Kinshasa School of Public Health (ESP) was predicated on the imperative to develop a local cadre of highly trained public health specialists capable of managing health zones, services, and programs throughout the nation. Recognizing that traditional community health training required additional specialization, stakeholders prioritized the establishment of a specialized institution to bridge these gaps while adapting to local realities. Previously, Congolese public health professionals were trained abroad, but this approach proved insufficient and costly, with programs often misaligned with the country's specific needs.
In response, the Kinshasa School of Public Health was formally established on 28 August 1984, within the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN). The initiative was underpinned by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and a consortium of eminent American academic institutions, led by Tulane University. This endeavor coincided with the Republic of Zaire's (now DRC) adoption of the primary health care strategy in 1981, which underscored the indispensable role of a well-trained health workforce. The ministerial decree founding the school delineated its mandate as a post-university institution with both national and continental significance, operating within the academic jurisdiction of UNIKIN and under the administrative oversight of the Ministry of Higher and University Education (ESU).
The school commenced its training programs in the 1986–1987 academic year. In addition to degree programs, it conducted research, short-term training, and technical expertise. However, the looting and political instability of 1991 led to the suspension of international cooperation, including USAID support. Despite these challenges, the school continued to train professionals with residual funds and support from the World Health Organization (WHO), which provided scholarships from 1995 to 1998. During this period, ESP maintained collaboration with Tulane University and Belgian institutions such as the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) and the Free University of Brussels (VUB).
In the late 1990s, responding to an appeal from the Ministry of Public Health and a Dutch nongovernmental organization, the school inaugurated a specialized health school program aimed at optimizing resource management for population health. By the 2004-2005 academic year, the institution had produced thirty-three graduates out of thirty-five regularly enrolled students, including doctors, nurses, and administrators.

## Admission and course programs

The admission requirements and course programs are tailored to the type of training offered, encompassing both long-term and short-term options.

### Long term training

For long-term training, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria depending on the level of study. Admission to the first level, which culminates in the Special Diploma in Public Health (DSSP) — equivalent to a Master of Public Health (MPH) — requires a university degree of at least a bachelor's level (second cycle), a minimum of three years of public health experience, and three formal recommendations from their employer, a representative of the Ministry of Public Health, and a member of ESP's extended technical committee. Candidates must also be under 45 years of age, with priority given to younger applicants, and must secure the necessary funding for their studies. The second level of training, which awards the Advanced Diploma in Public Health (DES), requires a DSSP or an equivalent qualification earned with a distinction grade. The third level, a Doctorate in Public Health (DrSP), requires a DES achieved with distinction and a demonstrated need to pursue advanced studies for teaching or research purposes. Since 2004, ESP has also offered staggered programs, including a two-year DSSP course and a 14-month DES program specializing in Health Economics.

### Short term training

For short-term training, Candidates must be practicing health professionals with relevant professional experience and must be recommended or sponsored by their employing institution. These programs are designed as refresher courses focusing on specific topics such as IT, food and hospital hygiene, management, AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and occupational health. Certificates in Public Health are offered upon completing structured blocks of courses in Public Health Methods (405 hours over four months), Management (300 hours over three months), and Community Health (390 hours over three months).

### Training philosophy

The training provided at ESP aims for excellence and as such, the program favors apprenticeship over traditional teaching. With this approach, the student (learner) is placed in full responsibility at the center of activities and must become aware of his role to make the necessary decisions regarding his training. To do this, he must resolve problems related to the organization of his learning with the help of teachers who play the role of facilitators, guides, and advisors. The learner's discipline is required to enable him to comply with the proposed program and to carry out personal and group work. This approach introduces him to self-management and the continuation of his learning even after his training at ESP, once he returns to his original professional environment.

### Training methods and techniques

The training philosophy at ESP emphasizes apprenticeship and learner-centered approaches, fostering active engagement and responsibility among students. Instead of traditional teaching methods, the school prioritizes problem-solving and self-directed learning, with instructors serving as facilitators and advisors. This methodology encourages students to develop personal discipline, comply with program requirements, and engage in both individual and group work. It prepares learners for continued professional development and lifelong learning, enabling them to effectively apply their skills in their professional environments post-graduation.

## Organization
### Governance

Operating as an autonomous entity within the Faculty of Medicine, ESP mirrors the administrative frameworks of the Cliniques Universitaires De Kinshasa and the Centre Neuro-Psycho Pathologique. It is overseen by a steering committee, with an administrative hierarchy comprising a director, who concurrently holds the position of vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine, a deputy director responsible for administrative affairs, a secretary in charge of academic training, and another secretary entrusted with overseeing research initiatives. Academic decisions are rendered at the departmental level, while administrative functions are managed by three divisions: human resources, financial management, and resource stewardship.

### Mission

ESP's primary mission is to significantly enhance postgraduate training across diverse sectors of public health, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, administration, nursing, economics, and veterinary science, among others. The institution is dedicated to training a critical mass of competent public health professionals capable of improving population health, promoting well-being, and stimulate socioeconomic development. The school also emphasizes the continuing education of professionals at all levels, ensuring that they are equipped to respond to emerging public health challenges.
The institution engages in empirical research aimed at addressing the health challenges faced by the Congolese population. It administers disease surveillance mechanisms and evaluates health programs and initiatives. In accordance with the principles articulated in the African Health Development Charter of 1990, ESP endorses the universal health policy through primary health care, as formalized in the 1992 National Sovereign Conference resolution. This policy remains integral to the evolution of healthcare infrastructure and the professional development of health zone administrators.

### Departments

The Kinshasa School of Public Health is organized into various specialized departments:
* Environmental Management
* Nutrition
* Environment, Hygiene, Sanitation, and Water
* Community Health
* Health System Policy and Administration