World "Indifference" to Congo Violence Must End

clipped from www.who.int Josephine's Journey © WHO/Chris Black There was no maternity ward or flowers for Josephine Nyirandayimana when her child was born. Instead there was a flight from danger, clinging onto her other child while leaving their village near Masisi behind. They arrived in a makeshift camp set up in a muddy field some 35 km away to the south, near Shasha. Josephine's baby was born soon after by caesarean section at Kirotshe Hospital where she now is recuperating. The current crisis in North Kivu is having a major impact on the health of the thousands of people who have fled their homes, by disrupting access to what should be readily available health services, such as safe deliveries. Reproductive and maternal health services, immunizations, basic hygiene and sanitation - all essential areas if health care that many of us take for granted but that are under extreme threat in the Kivus.