Key facts
- Maternal mortality rates have doubled in Ituri province, Congo, amid an Ebola outbreak.
- Pregnant women are avoiding hospitals due to fears of Ebola infection and isolation.
- The number of weekly maternal deaths increased from 3.1 to 5.8.
- Deaths occurring outside health centers have risen significantly.
- Healthcare facilities are diverting resources to the Ebola response, impacting maternal care.
In eastern Congo, an Ebola outbreak has led to a significant increase in maternal mortality as pregnant women avoid hospitals due to fear of infection and misinformation. The number of weekly maternal deaths in Ituri province has nearly doubled, with a sharp rise in deaths occurring outside of health facilities.
Health and aid workers report that pregnant women are skipping prenatal checkups and hospital visits, fearing they will be isolated if they present with a fever, a common symptom. This avoidance of care, coupled with the strain on the healthcare system due to the Ebola response, has left women with less access to essential maternal services. Facilities are redirecting staff and supplies, and some healthcare workers have protested a lack of payment and safety concerns, leading to reduced services.
Ebola is highly contagious and can pose increased risks to pregnant women, including miscarriage. However, aid groups warn that many women are now at greater risk of dying from preventable childbirth complications because the care they need is no longer accessible, trusted, or perceived as safe. The region's already high maternal mortality rate is exacerbated by the outbreak, with Congo recording approximately 19,000 maternal deaths in 2023.