DRC Pregnant Women Struggle with Rising Maternity Costs After Free Care Program Cancellation

Impact of Conflict on Maternal Care

• 💔 The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC between the Rwanda-backed M23 and the army has severely impacted the delivery of medical supplies and caused vital infrastructure to collapse.
• 💸 This, combined with widespread unemployment and an economic crisis, makes it increasingly difficult for pregnant women to afford maternal care.

Cancellation of Free Healthcare Program

• 💡 In 2023, the Congolese government launched a free healthcare program for pregnant women, which significantly increased attendance at maternity wards.
• ❌ However, this initiative was cancelled by the M23, leaving many women without access to affordable care.

Consequences for Expecting Mothers

• 🏠 Since the program's interruption in June, a growing number of women in North Kivu are opting to give birth at home.
• ⚠️ This decision, driven by financial necessity rather than medical preference, exposes them to preventable complications and increases the risk of maternal mortality.
• 😟 Pregnant women like Ernestine Balke express deep worry about affording childbirth due to job scarcity and the absence of free healthcare.