North Kivu: At Least 92 Newborns Die in Lubero in Three Months Amid Lack of Neonatal Care

Kinshasa, December 6, 2025 - Over the past three months, at least 92 newborns have died in the Kayna health zone of Lubero territory due to the absence of a neonatal unit at the main general referral hospital and surrounding health centers.

The Lubero Territory Midwives Association raised the alarm on December 11, 2025, citing that premature infants and newborns with serious illnesses, including malaria and urogenital infections, are not receiving adequate care, resulting in a high mortality rate - approximately one infant dying every day between 0 and 28 days.

Gerlas Kasiko, president of the Order of Midwives of Lubero, called on the government and humanitarian partners to equip and strengthen neonatal services, aiming to significantly reduce infant mortality and save lives.