DR Congo Launches National Project to Reduce Maternal and Newborn Mortality

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government launched the “Bomoyi ya mama na mwana” (“life of the mother and child”) project on March 7, 2026, in Kinshasa. This initiative, a collaboration between the DRC government, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the National Universal Health Coverage Council, and the Vodacom Foundation, aims to significantly reduce deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth complications in the DRC.

A Critical Health Challenge

Maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the DRC remain alarmingly high. According to recent data, four women die every hour in the DRC due to complications during childbirth UNFPA DRC. Approximately 23 newborns lose their lives each day due to birth-related issues UNFPA DRC.

Project Goals and Strategies

The “Bomoyi ya mama na mwana” project is integrated within the government’s broader effort to provide free maternity and newborn care, a key reform to improve access to essential health services. The project is designed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, specifically those focused on health and well-being.

Key components of the initiative include:

• Strengthening maternity care facilities
• Improving the quality of care provided to pregnant women and newborns
• Providing logistical and technical support to priority health centers
• Implementing community awareness campaigns to promote prenatal care and deliveries in medical facilities

Partnerships for Impact

The UNFPA representative in the DRC emphasized the importance of the collaborative approach between public and private sector partners. This synergy is considered crucial for achieving a lasting positive impact on the health of women and children, the primary beneficiaries of the project UNFPA DRC.

Ongoing Challenges in the DRC

Even before the launch of this project, the DRC faced significant challenges in maternal and newborn health. The security situation in eastern DRC, particularly in North and South Kivu, continues to disrupt healthcare access. Bureaucratic restrictions and cash shortages, exacerbated by bank closures, hinder the distribution of essential medicines and health supplies UNFPA. UNFPA is actively working with the government and partners to deliver life-saving assistance to displaced women and girls, including essential medicines, deploying midwives, and supporting safe spaces and hotlines for survivors of gender-based violence UNFPA.

Recent UNFPA Support

In August 2025, UNFPA and its partners provided sexual and reproductive health services and information to 48,700 people across North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika UNFPA Situation Report.