A new study on the impact of violence against healthcare on the health of children and mothers sheds light on global documentation of attacks on healthcare facilities in 2022, with a particular focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The report highlights the provinces of North and South Kivu as being heavily affected by these attacks, disrupting access to medical services for pregnant women and children under five.
The mixed-methods approach used in the study included case studies from Kyondo, Fizi, and Walungu. Data was collected through interviews, focus groups, and health system analyses in early 2023 to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
The findings revealed that violent events resulted in decreased or complete shutdowns of health facilities for up to four weeks due to resource depletion and heightened safety fears. This led to a significant drop in health care access for the local population, particularly impacting women attending maternal health services. Childbirth services were also severely affected as they often occur at night. Many women either traveled long distances to safer facilities or resorted to risky home births to avoid dangers present at local centers. These findings underscore the urgent need for increased protection and support for healthcare services in conflict-affected regions, especially for vulnerable populations such as women and children who require essential medical care during times of crisis.
