Title: A major step forward in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: free childbirth to reduce maternal and infant mortality
Introduction :
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), major progress has been announced in the fight against maternal and infant mortality. President Félix Tshisekedi has officially launched free deliveries as part of the implementation of universal health coverage. This measure aims to ensure that women in the DRC can give birth free of charge and benefit from adequate medical monitoring for themselves and their newborns. This initiative, funded in part by the United Nations (UN), marks an important step in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
A strong government commitment to universal health coverage:
President Tshisekedi underlined that the establishment of universal health coverage has always been a priority for his government. With free deliveries, he hopes to significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality linked to preventable causes. This measure is the result of a partnership with the WHO and is part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
International support and substantial investments:
The announcement of free deliveries in the DRC has been welcomed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO representative stressed that this vigorous initiative will help accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The investments already made in this initiative amount to 42 million dollars, and a budget of 200 million dollars is planned for the year 2024. These funds will be used to extend universal health coverage to the whole country of here 2024.
Expected impacts on the reduction of maternal and infant mortality:
Free childbirth in the DRC should have a significant impact on reducing maternal and infant mortality. By providing access to free prenatal care, childbirth and postnatal care, women will be able to benefit from quality medical care. In addition, newborns will be cared for by the state for 28 days after birth, which will help reduce the risk of complications and death related to this critical period.
Conclusion :
The introduction of free childbirth in the DRC marks a major step forward in the fight against maternal and infant mortality. This measure, supported by WHO and funded by significant investments, aims to ensure that all women in the DRC can access the necessary care during pregnancy and childbirth. By protecting the health of mothers and newborns, the DRC is moving closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and improving the health of its population