The Togolese government announced Wednesday, the creation of the “Wezou” or ‘Life’ program, to take care of pregnant women and their new borns. Per the program, a subsidy will be placed on Caesarean sections in public health facilities.

The program will also ensure state support for pregnant women from the confirmation of pregnancy until childbirth. ”This is the cost of prenatal consultations, analyses during pregnancy, a number of drugs and the birth certificate up to a certain rate,” said the Minister of Communication, government spokesperson, Prof Ayewouadan Akodah.

This national program is “designed with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates, in accordance with the strengthening of social inclusion and the modernization of the State as provided for in the government roadmap. 

According to a statement from the council of ministers, Togo is gradually integrating all the care services for pregnant women from the confirmation of pregnancy until the 42nd day after childbirth.

This social measure of the government, according to the government spokesperson, “puts an emphasis on the Togolese health system which will henceforth revolve around prevention because a woman who is taken care of in consultation is better diagnosed.”