Structural underfunding and displacement drive maternal health collapse in eastern Chad
Original framing: “Chad’s refugee crisis overwhelms maternity care in east, UN agency warns” — UN News
Chad's health infrastructure has been shaped by colonial extraction and post-independence instability. The current crisis echoes patterns seen in other post-colonial states where health systems were never adequately developed or maintained.
The maternal health crisis in eastern Chad is not an isolated humanitarian issue but a systemic failure rooted in historical underinvestment, colonial legacies, and the marginalization of indigenous health knowledge.
By integrating traditional midwifery, decentralizing health services, and engaging local women in policy design, it is possible to build a more resilient and culturally responsive health system. This approach aligns with successful models in Nepal and Bangladesh and reflects a deeper understanding of how cross-cultural health practices can be adapted to crisis settings. The current UNFPA framing, while urgent, risks reinforcing dependency rather than empowerment. A holistic, community-led model offers a more sustainable path forward.