SCALING UP THE PROJECT TO DIGITALIZE AN OPTIMIZED REMOTE DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT SYSTEM TO REDUCE MATERNAL AND PERINATAL MORTALITY IN THE DRC.

UNFPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare of the DRC and with financial support from the Japanese government, has officially launched an innovative project to digitalize diagnostic and treatment systems in order to improve maternal and perinatal healthcare at a distance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This project, which will be partially implemented by SOIK Corporation SARL, is a rapid response to the urgent needs of the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, which are particularly affected by armed conflicts and humanitarian crises. The goal is to help reduce maternal and perinatal mortality by improving access to quality prenatal, obstetric, and postnatal care for more than 2 million beneficiaries.

Planned interventions include the deployment of mobile clinics in displaced persons’ areas, equipping health centers with advanced technologies such as the SPAQ system (ultrasound and essential medical equipment), as well as training and capacity building for 100 midwives. The project also includes community education campaigns reaching over one million people and the establishment of a robust system for monitoring, evaluation, and documentation of best practices.

Officially launched on May 9, 2025, the project runs from March 2025 to February 2026 with a budget of 2 million US dollars. It reflects a shared commitment to safer, more equitable, and innovative maternal healthcare for women, adolescents, and newborns, even in the most vulnerable contexts.