Chad's maternal health programs face funding cuts crisis

Chad has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. A group of midwives is helping to improve this situation, but their jobs are now at risk due to cuts in U.S. foreign aid. This funding is crucial for reproductive and maternal health services in the country. Last year, heavy rains caused severe flooding in Chad. Many homes collapsed, forcing pregnant women to flee. Yewande Odia from the United Nations Population Fund described a case of a woman who gave birth in unsanitary conditions but was saved by a midwife with a health kit. This kit enabled a safe delivery, highlighting how vital midwives are for mothers and babies. Chad has a high number of women and children, including many refugees from Sudan. Thousands of women die from complications during childbirth due to a lack of access to clean health facilities. In 2023, U.S. funds helped provide care for 100,000 pregnant women and safe deliveries for 26,000. However, with cuts announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, many programs, including those supporting midwives, face cancellation. Odia is now searching for new funding sources, but money for midwives runs out at the end of March 2025. She warns that losing midwives means a rise in maternal deaths. The situation in Chad reflects a broader crisis across Africa, where U.S. aid cuts are affecting various health programs, including treatments for diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. Health leaders at a recent conference in Rwanda stressed the need for Africa to become more self-reliant in health care. Dr. Githinji Gitahi emphasized that foreign aid often focused on specific diseases rather than comprehensive health care. The goal should be to invest in primary health care and prevention. Some African countries are beginning to adjust their budgets to cover gaps left by aid cuts. For example, Nigeria has committed an additional $200 million to its health sector. This shift aims to lessen the impact of funding reductions while enhancing local health programs. Midwives in Chad, like Ernestine Nedjoumbaye, are left uncertain about their future. They need basic supplies to continue their work and are filled with worry about the potential loss of their jobs as funding dwindles.