Congo's Maternal And Infant Mortality Rates Too High, Health Minister Says

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 08 Aug 2008 - 12:00 PDT

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The maternal and infant mortality rates in the Republic of Congo remain "worrying" despite government programs instituted to try to curb the rates, Emilienne Raoul, the country's minister of health and social affairs, said on Sunday, IRIN News reports. About 510 women die per every 100,000 births in the country, which is down from a high of 890 deaths per 100,000 births in 1990, according to the United Nations Population Fund.

Raoul said that the "situation is still worrying" and that the government will "continue with efforts aimed at reversing this level of maternal mortality." According to IRIN News, about 86.2% of the deliveries in Congo are supervised by a health professional, but many health facilities lack sufficient equipment and personnel. In addition, communities lack training on safe maternal and neonatal care, and care is often poor for obstetric procedures and postpartum depression, according to IRIN News.

Congo developed a roadmap toward achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals in 2007, which includes improving maternal and infant mortality rates, as well as created two national plans to address the issue. UNFPA also has provided medicine and health equipment to seven local health centers. However, damage to the nation's infrastructure and human capital development related to violent conflict, as well as limited external support, have hindered efforts to attain MDGs, IRIN News reports (IRIN News, 8/5).

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