Giving birth in the DRC – in pictures

A midwife holds up a newborn baby in the maternity ward of Mosango hospital. The hospital is supported by H4+, which is made up of UNAIDS, UNFPA, Unicef, UN Women, the WHO and the World Bank and was formed to implement the UN secretary general's global strategy for women's and children's health in order to make progress in the health-related millennium development goals Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

A nurse at a health centre in Mbanza Ngungu makes notes after examining a pregnant woman. In the DRC, the H4+ is working on fundamental programmes to strengthen health systems, in particular reproductive, maternal, newborn and child healthcare, including the implementation of new training policies for midwives
Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

A newborn baby in the maternity ward of Mosango hospital Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

A premature baby in an incubator at the hospital Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Sola Mubisambo Solange at home with her newborn baby. Before giving birth Solange spent time in the newly renovated maternity waiting house. The building is a place for pregnant women to spend the last stages of their pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of them having to travel long distances at the last minute Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

The community radio station Vuvu Kieto, meaning Our Hope, which is supported by H4+, broadcasts information concerning maternal health, hygiene, and what to do if a woman faces difficulties during her pregnancy. The participants in this particular radio programme discussed the importance of giving birth at recognised health centres instead of consulting traditional birth attendants at home Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

A woman pregnant with twins stands in the maternity ward in Loma health centre Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Women wait outside a health centre in Mosango as dusk falls Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Dr Along Diana Andersen does the rounds, together with nurses, examining post- and prenatal patients in the maternity ward of Mosango hospital Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

A nurse and mother clean and care for a newborn child in the postnatal ward in the maternity department of a health centre Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Dr Fabien Kibayila Dizo, front left, during an operation at a health centre Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Incubators for premature babies at the referral hospital in Mbanza Ngungu. If women face difficulties during delivery at local health centres, they are transferred to this hospital, since it is better equipped and staffed for complicated deliveries or caesareans Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

A nurse and mother admiring a newborn child in the postnatal ward in the maternity department of a health centre Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Nurse Abetty Kuntima stands outside the health centre she runs in Mbanza Ngungu Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Nurses examine a pregnant woman at a health centre in Mbanza Ngungu Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+

Mothers and staff sit with newborn babies at a health centre in a small village near Mosango Photograph: Sven Torfinn/Sven Torfinn/Panos/H4+