DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 29 -- THE Central African Republic has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 829 deaths per 100 000 live births recorded in 2023.

Behind these numbers lie painful realities: Women giving birth far from health facilities, long distances to reach the facilities, limited resources and sometimes beliefs that hinder access to care.

Fewer than 50 per cent of pregnant women attend the four recommended antenatal consultations and nearly a third of deliveries still take place at home, exposing mothers and newborns to serious risks, according to national figures.

To address the challenge, the country prioritised providing every woman with quality care without financial risk, the essence of universal h...