In the Kibati region of North Kivu, a critical problem affects pregnant displaced women residing in sites in Nyiragongo territory. Indeed, these women find themselves facing serious difficulties in accessing appropriate medical care. The organization Action for Civil Protection and Development APROCID is sounding the alarm and calling on the authorities to find an urgent solution to this worrying situation.
Displaced pregnant women have to walk long distances to reach the Kanyaruchinya health center, where they can receive free medical care. Unfortunately, the closest health centers, such as those in Rusayu and Mudja, are far from the displaced sites, thus forcing some women to spend the night near the hospital to benefit from a prenatal consultation before return to their site the next day.
These difficult conditions of access to health care, combined with the precarious living conditions in the camps for displaced people, have disastrous consequences. Indeed, many pregnant women are unable to receive necessary prenatal care, putting them at risk of miscarriages and maternal deaths. APROCID also highlights that this problem affects other groups of displaced people, notably children and the elderly, who also face a crucial lack of appropriate medical care.
Preventable deaths among these vulnerable populations highlight the urgency of intervention to ensure equitable and unconditional access to health care for all. Local authorities must take immediate measures to alleviate this alarming situation and ensure the protection and well-being of the displaced, particularly pregnant women and the most vulnerable groups.
In conclusion, it is imperative to put in place concrete and sustainable solutions to ensure that every individual, regardless of their displaced status, has access to essential health care. Health is a fundamental and inalienable right, and it is our collective duty to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to maternal and child health.