“Free maternity in the DRC: a step towards access to care for all women”
The Minister of Public Health, Samuel Roger Kamba, recently carried out an inspection visit to assess the implementation of the free maternity measure put in place by the President of the Republic, Félix Tshisekedi. This measure aims to guarantee access to quality care during the perinatal period and constitutes a big step towards achieving universal health coverage.
During his visit, the minister was able to see the commitment and efficiency of health care providers, but also took note of the operational difficulties they face due to the massive influx of the population. He said he was satisfied with the involvement of the population and healthcare staff, emphasizing the importance of their collaboration to ensure the continued success of the measure.
In the Kintambo Maternity, for example, more than 560 prenatal consultations have been carried out since the start of free maternity, with the care of 9 newborns, more than 40 cases of difficult deliveries and 51 cesareans. These figures demonstrate the positive impact of this measure on the health of women and newborns.
Free maternity care, launched as part of the national universal health coverage strategy, aims to guarantee access to quality care during the perinatal period. It represents a major step forward in the fight to improve maternal and child health in the DRC.
This ambitious policy contributes to reducing inequalities by allowing all women, regardless of their socio-economic level, to benefit from quality care without having to bear additional costs. It is part of the government’s desire to make health services accessible to all, particularly the most vulnerable populations.
The implementation of free maternity in the DRC is a strong signal sent by the government, showing its desire to take care of the health of women and newborns. However, there are still challenges to overcome, particularly in terms of organization and resource management, to ensure optimal continuity and quality of care.
In conclusion, free maternity in the DRC is a measure that demonstrates the government’s desire to guarantee access to quality care for all women. This ambitious policy constitutes an important step towards achieving universal health coverage and reducing health inequalities. However, it is essential to continue working on the organization and management of resources to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of this measure.