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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Patrice Citera in Kinshasa

DRC offers free maternity care to cut death rate among mothers and babies

President Félix Tshisekedi launches a free maternity care programme at a hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in September. The scheme is aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality.
President Félix Tshisekedi launches a free maternity care programme at a hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in September. Photograph: Courtesy of DRC presidential office

Pregnant women across the Democratic Republic of the Congo are to be offered free healthcare in an effort to cut the country’s high rates of maternal and neonatal deaths.

Women in 13 out of 26 regions in the country will, by the end of the year, be entitled to free services during pregnancy and for one month after childbirth. Babies will receive free healthcare for their first 28 days under the scheme, which the government plans to extend to the rest of DRC – although there is no timetable for that yet.

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