In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), morbidity and mortality resulting from unsafe abortions are alarmingly high. However, the ratification of the Maputo Protocol in 2018 has made safe abortion accessible. National implementation strategies recognize midwives as providers of comprehensive abortion care (CAC), yet there is little understanding of their current role in its provision.
Our goal was to understand the obstacles and facilitators in integrating the midwifery model of CAC in DRC’s health system. Findings highlight how midwives provide all aspects of CAC, with attention to the psychosocial well-being of their clients and act as health service navigators in the community. Appropriate midwifery legislation, a scope of practice that includes CAC, administrative support and remuneration, and better access to continuing education are facilitating health system factors for the midwifery model of CAC. Finally, the Professional Association of Congolese Midwives (SCOSAF) played an influential role in the implementation, positively supporting CAC integration by midwives.
SOURCE: Ipas DRC, by Habygaelle Muzie, Communications Advisor, 5 December 2024. This paper was developed in collaboration with the Professional Association of Congolese Midwives (SCOSAF) and Karolinska Institute, with funding from SIDA. PHOTO: Ley Uwera for Ipas