Header image: Aimee Olenga is a midwife that has provided care and support for women and newborns for over 16 years. She currently works at the Kintambo Maternity, which is one of the largest maternities in Kinshasa. In 2019, Aimee was trained by Ipas on Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) and currently serves as a clinical mentor for abortion-related care in Ipas DRC’s network of mentors. *Ipas gratefully acknowledges the support of Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development in the collection of these stories.
We are delighted to announce the publication of a scientific paper developed by Ipas Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in collaboration with the Professional Association of Congolese Midwives (SCOSAF) and Karolinska Institute, with funding from SIDA.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), morbidity and mortality resulting from unsafe abortions are alarmingly high. However, the recent 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 comprehensive abortion care (CAC) in DRC’s health system. Findings highlight how midwives provide all aspects of CAC, with attention to the psycho-social well-being of their clients and acted 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.
Pictured above: Ipas-supported training for clinical and support staff at Maternité de Kintambo in Kintambo Health Zone, Kinshasa. © Ley Uwera for Ipas