This report was updated in March 2024. The 2023 report can be found here.
Eastern DRC – including in North and South Kivu provinces – has experienced decades of instability with regular armed conflict often linked to the illegal exploitation of resources. Disease outbreaks, food insecurity, and a growing presence of displaced persons have further strained the already weak health system. The humanitarian crisis has become increasingly complex and exacerbated by recurrent disease outbreaks including COVID-19, cholera, measles, and Ebola. DRC’s 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan estimates that 26.4 million people need humanitarian assistance and protection.
While progress has been made to increase access to skilled health personnel, the state of MNH in the DRC is an indication of the weak health system with 547 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, 28 newborn deaths per 1000 live births, and 28 stillbirths per 1000 births.
This country profile – prepared by the EQUAL research consortium – outlines the state of MNH in the DRC including the health system structures and challenges in delivering access to lifesaving MNH care, especially in the conflict affected settings.
A French translation will be available at www.EQUALresearch.org