Free maternity and newborn care: A step towards universal health coverage in the DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has just reached an important milestone in its universal health coverage. Indeed, the President of the Republic, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, announced the launch of free maternity and newborn care in the city of Kinshasa. This measure aims to respond to the problem of maternal and infant mortality, which still remains too high in the country.
Universal health coverage is a central pillar of the Congolese government’s five-year program. By choosing Kinshasa as the starting point for this initiative, President Tshisekedi shows his desire to tackle the major challenges affecting this city, particularly in terms of health. He also stressed that this measure will gradually be extended to other provinces of the country.
This announcement demonstrates the commitment of the Head of State and his government to improve the living and working conditions of health providers. Indeed, for universal health coverage to be a reality, it is essential to guarantee optimal conditions for medical personnel. This requires in particular training systems, adequate infrastructure and sufficient resources.
Free maternity and newborn care is a measure that will have a significant impact on the lives of many Congolese. By lifting the financial cost of these health services, pregnant women will be able to access quality prenatal and postnatal care, thereby helping to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Likewise, newborns will have access to the treatments and care necessary to ensure their good health from the first days of their life.
However, it is important to emphasize that free care should not be synonymous with a reduction in the quality of care. It is crucial that healthcare facilities have the resources to provide high-quality services, with competent professionals and adequate equipment. It is therefore essential that the Congolese government ensures that this measure is accompanied by concrete measures to guarantee the quality of care.
In conclusion, free maternity and newborn care is a major step forward towards universal health coverage in the DRC. This measure will reduce risks for pregnant women and newborns, while ensuring equitable access to health services. However, it is essential to accompany this measure with investments in health infrastructure and to guarantee optimal conditions for health professionals. Thus, the DRC will be able to progress towards a society where health is truly universal.