Free maternity care ends in Congo, leaving mothers anxious

Until June this year, Congo offered free maternity care to help expectant mothers seek safe deliveries; however, this is no longer the case, according to Africanews via AP, on December 11th.

Reportedly, authorities did not renew the initiative. Healthcare in Congo has deteriorated drastically due to the conflict that has escalated this year. It has stranded medical supplies and even affected the infrastructure of water supplies.

Freddy Kaniki, the deputy coordinator of the M23 rebel movement, told the AP that the free maternal care “was not renewed because it was a failure.” Congolese officials have not responded to questions concerning the initiative’s termination.

For many women, this programme was a support line that helped them deliver their babies safely and was financially helpful too. With this no longer in place, it causes a huge detriment to women and babies.

Irene Nabudeba, an expectant mother, rested her hands on her stomach, worried about giving birth. She said, “I am seeing many women giving birth at home now because they can’t afford it. They don’t know how to get to the hospital to deliver because they ask for a lot of money.”

She added further, “I just found a small opportunity to come here for prenatal care because before, I gave birth by C-section, and I paid a lot. I only came for this consultation, but I am also due, and I don’t know where I will get the money to pay.”

Health workers say the loss of free maternity care has undone years of work and progress. Head nurse at the Afia Himbi health centre, Franck Ndachetere Kandonyi, recalled how effective the initiative had been. “It was a really good project, because it even helped us boost our maternity statistics,” Kandonyi said.

The M23 rebel takeover within Congo has not only caused fear for pregnant mothers, but it has also caused a fear that children in the north and south Kivu regions would be unable to attend school.

The M23 have been ravaging the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo since their insurgency resumed in 2022. According to Human Rights Watch, the group killed at least 140 people in July.

The ongoing crisis that Congo is facing with food insecurity and now maternity care has created a decline in health care, and for women like Nabudeba, the unknown of what will happen when she gives birth is scary. “When I go into labour, I wonder where I will find the money,” she said.

Africanews via AP, Maghrebi.org