Free maternity and newborn care program in the DRC: a major step forward for the health of mothers and children
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, recently launched an ambitious program to provide free maternity and newborn care in the city of Kinshasa. This program, which is part of universal health coverage, aims to reduce the high rate of maternal and infant mortality plaguing the country.
The deployment of the program will be carried out gradually, as it extends throughout the national territory. This strategic decision is motivated by the need to respond to a major public health problem in the DRC, where statistics reveal alarming figures in terms of maternal and infant mortality.
The free maternity and newborn care program aims to ensure equitable access to reproductive health services for pregnant women and newborns. By removing costs related to childbirth and medical consultations, it aims to remove the financial barriers that prevent many women from benefiting from the necessary care during their pregnancy and after the birth of their child.
This ambitious initiative will have a significant impact on the health of pregnant women and newborns in the DRC. By providing free access to prenatal care, assisted deliveries and postnatal consultations, the program will help reduce the risks of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. It will also ensure adequate medical monitoring for newborns, ensuring that they receive the necessary vaccinations and care to enable them to grow up healthy.
Beyond the impact on the individual health of women and newborns, this program will also have positive repercussions on public health as a whole. By reducing the number of maternal and child deaths, it will help improve the country’s health indicators and strengthen the socio-economic development of the DRC.
However, for the free maternity and newborn care program to be fully effective, it is essential to put in place additional measures. This includes training and capacity building of health professionals, provision of adequate medicines and medical equipment, as well as raising awareness among the population about available health services.
In conclusion, the launch of the free maternity and newborn care program in the DRC is a major step forward in the field of maternal and child health.. By providing free access to reproductive health care, this program will help reduce maternal and child mortality and improve the health of pregnant women and newborns. This is a bold initiative that demonstrates the Congolese government’s commitment to the well-being of its population.