Published 2 days ago • loading... • Updated 2 days ago

Congo Ends Free Maternity Program Amid Ongoing Conflict and Health Crisis

Earlier this year, Congo's government ended the free maternity program launched in 2023, removing a critical safety net for mothers and pregnant women in eastern Congo, including rebel-controlled Goma.
The year's surge in fighting, including M23 rebels' seizure of Goma in January, collapsed public institutions and stranded medical supplies beyond health supply chains and front lines, while U.N. experts say Rwanda backed M23 and Rwanda denies support.
ICRC assessments show at least 85% of health facilities face medicine shortages, nearly 40% lost staff, and 200 facilities ran out of medicines, while Doctors Without Borders reported attacks and threats to medical staff.
Many families now face clinic fees of $5 to $10, while more than 70% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day and households lack income after unemployed spouses and looted workplaces.
Given Congo's 19,000 maternal deaths in 2023, births at Afia Himbi health center rose from about five to more than 20 monthly under the free program, then dropped to nine as access worsened.

Insights by Ground AI

17 Articles

Mothers at risk as free maternity care ends in Congo

Head nurse Franck Ndachetere Kandonyi at the Afia Himbi Health Center said the programme raised numbers from as low as five deliveries a month to more than 20. He said women came in greater numbers because they knew they would not be charged.

2 days ago·Pointe-Noire, Congo

Read Full Article

Associated Press News

+15 Reposted by 15 other sources

Lean Left

A free childbirth program ends in eastern Congo at the worst of times

It is increasingly difficult to give birth in eastern Congo. Rebels' seizure of key cities early this year has left many medical supplies stranded beyond the front line.

2 days ago·United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year