“No woman should die while giving life”
Access to quality maternal health care is a crucial issue in many countries, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is no exception. Alarming statistics reveal that four women die every hour from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Faced with this shocking reality, the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention of the DRC, in collaboration with UNFPA and other partners, launched the “Mother and Newborn Week” campaign. with the aim of raising public awareness of this issue.
The opening ceremony of the week took place at the mother-child center in the commune of Ngaba, in the presence of the First Lady of the DRC, Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, who is also the godmother of the event. This initiative aims to highlight free maternity care and remind people that all pregnant women should benefit from free pre- and postnatal care, regardless of the complications encountered. It is essential that women have access to health services tailored to their specific needs and that they are supported throughout their pregnancy and childbirth.
As part of the campaign, a theater group presented a poignant message, highlighting the crucial role of midwives and calling for close collaboration between them and the First Lady. This group also highlighted the importance of the government ensuring the well-being of midwives, who play a vital role in maternal health.
The First Lady’s visit to the mother-child center allowed her to interact directly with the pregnant women present. The First Lady provided valuable advice and donated dignity kits to pregnant and newly born women. This symbolic gesture underlines the importance of preserving the dignity of women in these delicate moments of their lives.
This awareness campaign will continue throughout the week, with other activities planned in different locations in the DRC. The aim is to raise awareness among as many people as possible and put in place concrete measures to reduce the number of preventable maternal deaths.
In conclusion, it is imperative to take steps to ensure that every woman has access to quality maternal health care. No woman should die while giving life. This campaign in the DRC is a step in the right direction, but much remains to be done to achieve this crucial goal.