### Fatshimétrie: Free maternity in the DRC, a step towards accessible maternal health for all
For decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been struggling with alarming maternal health statistics. Maternal mortality remains one of the highest in the world, with nearly 500 deaths per 100,000 live births. Despite modest progress, the country still faces many challenges to ensure equitable access to health care for all pregnant women. However, a recent government measure seems to pave the way towards a more inclusive maternal health system: free maternity.
The free maternity program, gradually being extended across the country, aims to remove the financial barriers that hinder women’s access to quality maternal care. Thus, the city of Mbujimayi, in the province of Kasai Oriental, now joins the list of regions benefiting from this government initiative. From now on, no mother who gives birth will pay a cent for maternity care, a significant step forward for the health of mothers and their newborns.
This measure, launched in September 2023, represents a first step towards universal health coverage in the DRC. In addition to Mbujimayi, other major cities such as Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Matadi have also implemented free maternity care in certain health facilities. In Kinshasa, more than 85,000 women have been treated since the launch of the program, demonstrating the positive impact of this initiative on maternal health.
However, despite these advances, challenges persist. Delays in hospital reimbursements by the State and partial payments sometimes hamper the effective implementation of the program. Ensuring transparent and efficient management of funds allocated to maternal health is crucial to ensure the sustainability of this measure and maximize its impact on reducing maternal mortality in the DRC.
Free maternity care in the DRC represents an important step towards universally accessible maternal health. By removing the financial barriers that limit women’s access to health care, this program helps protect the lives of mothers and their children. However, to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability, additional efforts are needed in terms of coordination, financing and monitoring of results. Together, let us continue to work towards a DRC where every pregnant woman receives the maternal care she needs, without fear of financial obstacles.