The Congo businesswoman freeing new mothers from debt
STORY: It was three weeks since Annaelle gave birth to twins in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa.
But the 16-year-old still hadn't left hospital.
Unable to pay her medical costs, she was effectively being held hostage.
Then entered a woman Annaelle had never met before - to hand doctors $130 and settle the bill.
This is Grace Mbongi Umek - a businesswoman who has made it her mission to free new mothers trapped by their maternity debts.
"As far as my objective is concerned, it's clear: I want this to stop. I want women in my country to give birth in good conditions and not be held hostage because they cannot pay."
Like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo has no universal health coverage.
While President Felix Tshisekedi's government is ratifying a law to make health services free for the vulnerable, the minimum $40 required to give birth in a health facility is out of reach for many.
According to the World Bank, more than 60% of Congo's population lives on less than $2.15 a day.
Cash-strapped hospitals say they are forced to keep patients until they've paid in full.
"So I said to myself, why not help these women have their fundamental rights, the right of a woman not to be detained in a maternity hospital just because she's given birth?"
Umek, who owns shares in several security companies, set up a foundation in 2017 to help mothers with unpaid medical bills.
She says she donates up to $3,500 a month.
At Kinshasa's Bethesda hospital, Annaelle and two of her roommates uttered their thanks and wrapped up their babies.
Unburdened by debt, they can finally take their children home.
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